Antisense nucleic acid for treating amyotrophy

ABSTRACT

There has been a demand for a novel antisense nucleic acid or the like capable of inhibiting myostatin at the mRNA level. The present invention provides a specific antisense oligomer which allows exon 2 skipping in the myostatin gene or induces degradation of mRNA of the myostatin gene.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an antisense oligomer which allows exon 2 skipping in the myostatin gene, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising such an oligomer.

BACKGROUND ART

Myostatin (also known as GDF-8) was discovered in 1997 as a novel cytokine belonging to the TGF-β superfamily. Its expression is specific to skeletal muscle which is a primary tissue responsible for movement and metabolism. Myostatin-deficient mutant animals show significant muscle hypertrophy where skeletal muscle mass is increased twice as much as in wild-type animals, so that myostatin is considered to be a negative control factor for skeletal muscle mass.

Based on the above findings, a therapeutic strategy can be designed to treat amyotrophic diseases or muscle wasting diseases through inhibition of myostatin. Skeletal muscle atrophy will induce not only limitation of daily living activities due to muscle weakness, but also serious systemic complications such as undernutrition and respiratory failure. Target diseases of this therapeutic strategy may include myogenic amyotrophy (e.g., muscular dystrophy, congenital myopathy, inclusion body myositis), neurogenic amyotrophy (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy), disuse amyotrophy (e.g., apoplexy-induced disuse syndrome), muscle wasting diseases (e.g., cancer cachexia, sepsis-related amyotrophy), various types of sarcopenia including age-related skeletal muscle loss (age-related sarcopenia), etc.

The human myostatin gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 2. From three exons constituting this gene, mature mRNA having a chain length of approximately 2.8 kilobases is transcribed and further translated into a precursor polypeptide consisting of 375 amino acid residues. Myostatin precursor polypeptide molecules form a dimer through disulfide bonding between their C-terminal domains, and then cleaved between amino acid residues at positions 266 and 267 (R-D) in endoplasmic reticulum by the actin of a protease of the Furin family, so that the precursor dimer is divided into an N-terminal propeptide and a C-terminal domain dimer which will function later as active myostatin. These peptides are associated through non-covalent bonding and secreted as an inactive complex into the extracellular environment. This complex is further dissociated when the N-terminal propeptide is cleaved off between amino acid residues at positions 98 and 99 (R-D) by the action of a matrix metalloprotease of the BMP1/Tolloid family, whereby an active myostatin dimer appears.

In recent years, attention has been focused on antisense nucleic acid drugs, which are designed and chemically synthesized as short antisense artificial nucleic acids binding complementarily to a part of precursor mRNA in an attempt to inhibit mRNA function. In the normal mechanism of gene transcription, introns in precursor mRNA are cleaved and removed by the action of an enzyme complex called spliceosome to thereby generate mature mRNA. An antisense nucleic acid for exon skipping is designed to modify this spliceosome-mediated splicing regulatory mechanism and induce the generation of mRNA different from normal mature mRNA, thereby inhibiting the function of the gene. Moreover, mRNA is associated not only with the spliceosome, but also with an mRNA-stabilizing protein or an expression/translation regulatory factor (including miRNA) for regulation of mRNA degradation, expression and translation. An antisense nucleic acid is also considered to inhibit the association of such an mRNA-binding protein to its target mRNA, thereby inhibiting the function of the gene.

Currently, some antisense nucleic acids have been known to cause exon skipping in myostatin (Patent Documents 1 to 3 and Non-patent Documents 1 to 4).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: US2013/0085139A1

Patent Document 2: WO2006/086667A2

Patent Document 3: JP2007-104971A

Non-patent Documents

Non-patent Document 1: Kang J K et al., Mol. Ther. (2011) 19(1):159-164

Non-patent Document 2: Kemaladewi et al., BMC Med Genomics. (2011) 4:36

Non-patent Document 3: Alberto Malerba et al., Mol. Ther. Nucleic Acids. (2012) 1:e62

Non-patent Document 4: Bestas B et al., Nucleic Acid Ther. (2014) 24(1):13-24

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

Under such circumstances as described above, there has been a demand for a novel antisense nucleic acid capable of inhibiting myostatin at the mRNA level.

Means to Solve the Problem

As a result of repeating extensive and intensive efforts to solve the problem stated above, the inventors of the present invention have found that myostatin can be efficiently inhibited at the mRNA level when a particular function inhibitory antisense nucleic acid is applied to the myostatin gene. This finding led to the completion of the present invention.

Namely, the present invention is as follows.

-   [1]

An antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising the following unit oligomers connected together:

-   (a) a first unit oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a first nucleotide sequence consisting of     contiguous 7 to 15 bases in exon 2 of the human or mouse myostatin     gene; and -   (b) a second unit oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a second nucleotide sequence consisting of     contiguous 7 to 15 bases in said exon 2,

wherein the first nucleotide sequence and the second nucleotide sequence are not contiguous to each other or do not overlap with each other, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.

-   [2]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [1] above, wherein the antisense oligomer is (c) or (d) shown below:

-   (c) an antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising     connected two unit oligomers selected from the group consisting of     unit oligomers (c-1) to (c-6) shown below:

(c-1) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(c-2) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(c-3) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(c-4) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 210 from the 5′ -terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(c-5) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 204 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; and

(c-6) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; or

-   (d) an antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising     connected two unit oligomers selected from the group consisting of     unit oligomers (d-1) to (d-7) shown below:

(d-1) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 65 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-2) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-3) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-4) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 151 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-5) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 196 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-6) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 266 to 295 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene; and

(d-7) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene.

-   [3]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [1] above, wherein the antisense oligomer is (e) or (f) shown below:

-   (e) an antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising     connected two unit oligomers selected from the group consisting of     unit oligomers (e-1) to (e-6) shown below:

(e-1) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions -4 to 25 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(e-2) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 112 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(e-3) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 128 to 142 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(e-4) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 169 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(e-5) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 209 to 228 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; and

(e-6) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; or

-   (f) an antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising     connected two unit oligomers selected from the group consisting of     unit oligomers (f-1) to (f-7) shown below:

(f-1) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 1 to 18 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-2) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 116 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-3) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 130 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-4) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 160 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-5) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 211 to 225 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-6) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 271 to 282 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene; and

(f-7) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 341 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene.

-   [4]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [2] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (c) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 103 (NMS-48), SEQ ID NO: 116 (NMS-89), SEQ ID NO: 117 (NMS-90), SEQ ID NO: 120 (NMS-93), SEQ ID NO: 128 (NMS-101), SEQ ID NO: 131 (NMS-104), SEQ ID NO: 136 (NMS-113), SEQ ID NO: 137 (NMS-117), SEQ ID NO: 140 (NMS-123), SEQ ID NO: 145 (NMS-136), SEQ ID NO: 146 (NMS-139), SEQ ID NO: 147 (NMS-140), SEQ ID NO: 148 (NMS-141), SEQ ID NO: 149 (NMS-142), SEQ ID NO: 152 (NMS-145), SEQ ID NO: 155 (NMS-148), SEQ ID NO: 156 (NMS-149), SEQ ID NO: 157 (NMS-150), SEQ ID NO: 159 (NMS-152), SEQ ID NO: 162 (NMS-156), SEQ ID NO: 163 (NMS-157), SEQ ID NO: 165 (NMS-162), SEQ ID NO: 166 (NMS-163), SEQ ID NO: 167 (NMS-164), SEQ ID NO: 168 (NMS-166), SEQ ID NO: 169 (NMS-167), SEQ ID NO: 170 (NMS-168), SEQ ID NO: 171 (NMS-169), SEQ ID NO: 176 (NMS-174), SEQ ID NO: 177 (NMS-175), SEQ ID NO: 178 (NMS-176), SEQ ID NO: 179 (NMS-177), SEQ ID NO: 180 (NMS-178), SEQ ID NO: 183 (NMS-181), SEQ ID NO: 187 (NMS-185), SEQ ID NO: 189 (NMS-188), SEQ ID NO: 190 (NMS-189), SEQ ID NO: 191 (NMS-190), SEQ ID NO: 192 (NMS-191), SEQ ID NO: 193 (NMS-192), SEQ ID NO: 196 (NMS-195), SEQ ID NO: 199 (NMS-198), SEQ ID NO: 200 (NMS-199), SEQ ID NO: 201 (NMS-200), SEQ ID NO: 203 (NMS-202), SEQ ID NO: 204 (NMS-203), SEQ ID NO: 206 (NMS-206), SEQ ID NO: 208 (NMS-208), SEQ ID NO: 212 (NMS-212), SEQ ID NO: 213 (NMS-213), SEQ ID NO: 214 (NMS-214), SEQ ID NO: 215 (NMS-215), SEQ ID NO: 217 (NMS-217), SEQ ID NO: 225 (NMS-225), SEQ ID NO: 226 (NMS-228), SEQ ID NO: 228 (NMS-230), SEQ ID NO: 229 (NMS-231), SEQ ID NO: 231 (NMS-233), SEQ ID NO: 232 (NMS-234), SEQ ID NO: 233 (NMS-235), SEQ ID NO: 236 (NMS-240), SEQ ID NO: 237 (NMS-241), SEQ ID NO: 240 (NMS-244), SEQ ID NO: 243 (NMS-247), SEQ ID NO: 244 (NMS-248), SEQ ID NO: 245 (NMS-249), SEQ ID NO: 246 (NMS-250), SEQ ID NO: 247 (NMS-251), SEQ ID NO: 248 (NMS-252), SEQ ID NO: 252 (NMS-256), SEQ ID NO: 261 (NMS-272), SEQ ID NO: 273 (NMS-284), SEQ ID NO: 274 (NMS-285), SEQ ID NO: 275 (NMS-286) and SEQ ID NO: 277 (NMS-297).

-   [5]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [2] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (d) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 95 (NMS-38), SEQ ID NO: 96 (NMS-39), SEQ ID NO: 107 (NMS-66), SEQ ID NO: 223 (NMS-223), SEQ ID NO: 234 (NMS-238), SEQ ID NO: 235 (NMS-239), SEQ ID NO: 242 (NMS-246), SEQ ID NO: 249 (NMS-253), SEQ ID NO: 250 (NMS-254), SEQ ID NO: 251 (NMS-255), SEQ ID NO: 257 (NMS-268), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-280), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-281), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-282), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-288), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-289), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-290), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-292), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-293), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-294), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-295), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-298), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-299), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-300), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-302) and SEQ ID NO: (NMS-303).

-   [6]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [1] to [5] above, wherein the antisense oligomer is an oligonucleotide.

-   [7]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [6] above, wherein at least one sugar moiety and/or at least one phosphate bond moiety in nucleotides constituting the oligonucleotide is modified.

-   [8]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [7] above, wherein the at least one sugar moiety in nucleotides constituting the oligonucleotide is a ribose in which the -OH group at the 2′-position is substituted with any group selected from the group consisting of OR, R, R′OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NR₂, N₃, CN, F, Cl, Br and I (wherein R represents alkyl or aryl, and R′ represents alkylene).

-   [9]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [7] or [8] above, wherein the at least one phosphate bond moiety in nucleotides constituting the oligonucleotide is any one selected from the group consisting of a phosphorothioate bond, a phosphorodithioate bond, an alkylphosphonate bond, a phosphoroamidate bond and a boranophosphate bond.

-   [10]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [1] to [5] above, wherein the antisense oligomer is a morpholino oligomer.

-   [11]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [10] above, wherein the morpholino oligomer is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer.

-   [12]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [10] or [11] above, whose 5′-terminal end is any one of the groups represented by chemical formulae (1) to (3) shown below.

-   [13]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [4] and [6] to [12] above, wherein the antisense oligomer consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 171 (NMS-169), SEQ ID NO: 192 (NMS-191), SEQ ID NO: 245 (NMS-249) and SEQ ID NO: 231 (NMS-233).

-   [14]

A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [3] to [13] above.

-   [15]

The pharmaceutical composition according to [14] above, which further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

-   [16]

The pharmaceutical composition according to [14] or [15] above for use in the treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

-   [17]

The pharmaceutical composition according to [16] above for use in the treatment of muscular dystrophy.

-   [18]

A method for prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease, which comprises administering a subject in need of prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease with a therapeutically effective amount of the antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [1] to [13] above.

-   [19]

The method according to [18] above, wherein the amyotrophic disease or muscle wasting disease is muscular dystrophy.

-   [20]

The method according to [18] or [19] above, wherein the subject is a human subject.

-   [21]

Use of the antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [1] to [13] above in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

-   [22]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [1] to [13] above for use in the treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

-   [23]

Any one antisense oligomer selected from the group consisting of (A) to (H) shown below or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof:

-   (A) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (B) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     91 to 145 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (C) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (D) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (E) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin     gene; -   (F) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     111 to 162 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin     gene; -   (G) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     166 to 195 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin     gene; and -   (H) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     331 to 374 from the 5 ‘-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse     myostatin gene. -   [24]

Any one antisense oligomer selected from the group consisting of (I) to (L) shown below or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof:

-   (I) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     −10 to 31 from the 5’-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (J) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     111 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene, wherein the 3′-terminal base of the nucleotide sequence of 14     to 30 bases in length is a base located at position 140 from the     5′-terminal end of said exon 2; -   (K) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; and -   (L) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene. -   [25]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [23] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (A) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13 (NMS-17), SEQ ID NO: 76 (NMS-138), SEQ ID NO: 68 (NMS-120), SEQ ID NO: 75 (NMS-137), SEQ ID NO: 51 (NMS-76), SEQ ID NO: 52 (NMS-79), SEQ ID NO: 54 (NMS-81), SEQ ID NO: 55 (NMS-82), SEQ ID NO: 56 (NMS-83), SEQ ID NO: 53 (NMS-80), SEQ ID NO: 33 (NMS-49), SEQ ID NO: 63 (NMS-114), SEQ ID NO: 69 (NMS-124), SEQ ID NO: 70 (NMS-125), SEQ ID NO: 61 (NMS-110), SEQ ID NO: 31 (NMS-46), SEQ ID NO: 34 (NMS-50), SEQ ID NO: 50 (NMS-75), SEQ ID NO: 45 (NMS-67) and SEQ ID NO: 64 (NMS-115).

-   [26]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [23] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (B) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 (NMS-6), SEQ ID NO: 66 (NMS-118), SEQ ID NO: 67 (NMS-119), SEQ ID NO: 28 (NMS-33), SEQ ID NO: 72 (NMS-127), SEQ ID NO: 16 (NMS-20), SEQ ID NO: 82 (NMS-187) and SEQ ID NO: 25 (NMS-30).

-   [27]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [23] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (C) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 12 (NMS-16).

-   [28]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [23] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (D) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 (NMS-7).

-   [29]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [23] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (E) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 90 (NMS-51).

-   [30]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [23] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (F) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 91 (NMS-52), SEQ ID NO: 28 (NMS-33) and SEQ ID NO: 25 (NMS-30), SEQ ID NO: 41 (NMS-61), SEQ ID NO: 24 (NMS-29), SEQ ID NO: 42 (NMS-62), SEQ ID NO: 43 (NMS-63), SEQ ID NO: 11 (NMS-15), SEQ ID NO: 67 (NMS-119), SEQ ID NO: 80 (NMS-161) and SEQ ID NO: 82 (NMS-187).

-   [31]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [23] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (G) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 7 (NMS-10).

-   [32]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [23] above, wherein the antisense oligomer (H) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4 (NMS-7), SEQ ID NO: 9 (NMS-12), SEQ ID NO: 10 (NMS-14) and SEQ ID NO: 14 (NMS-18).

-   [33]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [23] to [32] above, wherein the antisense oligomer is an oligonucleotide.

-   [34]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [33] above, wherein at least one sugar moiety and/or at least one phosphate bond moiety in nucleotides constituting the oligonucleotide is modified.

-   [35]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [34] above, wherein the at least one sugar moiety in nucleotides constituting the oligonucleotide is a ribose in which the -OH group at the 2′-position is substituted with any group selected from the group consisting of OR, R, R′OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NR₂, N₃, CN, F, Cl, Br and I (wherein R represents alkyl or aryl, and R′ represents alkylene).

-   [36]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [34] or [35] above, wherein the at least one phosphate bond moiety in nucleotides constituting the oligonucleotide is any one selected from the group consisting of a phosphorothioate bond, a phosphorodithioate bond, an alkylphosphonate bond, a phosphoroamidate bond and a boranophosphate bond.

-   [37]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [23] to [32] above, wherein the antisense oligomer is a morpholino oligomer.

-   [38]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [37] above, wherein the morpholino oligomer is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer.

-   [39]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to [37] or [38] above, whose 5′-terminal end is any one of the groups represented by chemical formulae (1) to (3) shown below.

-   [40]

A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [23] to [39] above.

-   [41]

The pharmaceutical composition according to [40] above, which further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

-   [42]

The pharmaceutical composition according to [40] or [41] above for use in the treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

-   [43]

The pharmaceutical composition according to [42] above for use in the treatment of muscular dystrophy.

-   [44]

A method for prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease, which comprises administering a subject in need of prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease with a therapeutically effective amount of the antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [23] to [39] above.

-   [45]

The method according to [44] above, wherein the amyotrophic disease or muscle wasting disease is muscular dystrophy.

-   [46]

The method according to [44] or [45] above, wherein the subject is a human subject.

-   [47]

Use of the antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [23] to [39] above in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

-   [48]

The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to any one of [23] to [39] above for use in the treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

Effects of the Invention

Antisense oligomers according to some embodiments of the present invention allow induction of exon skipping in the myostatin gene. In addition, an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease can be prevented or treated when an antisense oligomer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof is administered to a subject in need of prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 2 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the efficiency of exon 3 skipping in the human myostatin gene in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

FIG. 15 shows the results of Test Example 2.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described in more detail below. The following embodiments are illustrated to describe the present invention, and it is not intended to limit the present invention only to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It should be noted that all publications cited herein, including prior art documents, patent gazettes and other patent documents, are incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, this specification incorporates the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-18214 (filed on September 16, 2015), based on which the present application claims priority.

1. Antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof

The present invention provides an antisense oligomer which allows exon 2 skipping in the myostatin gene, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof (hereinafter collectively referred to as “the antisense oligomer of the present invention”).

The following “antisense oligomer A of the present invention” and “antisense oligomer B of the present invention” may also be collectively referred to as “the antisense oligomer of the present invention.”

1.1. Antisense oligomer A of the Present Invention

The antisense oligomer A of the present invention is an antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising connected two unit oligomers selected from the group consisting of (a) and (b) shown below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof:

-   (a) a first unit oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a first nucleotide sequence consisting of     contiguous 7 to 15 bases in exon 2 of the human or mouse myostatin     gene; and -   (b) a second unit oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a second nucleotide sequence consisting of     contiguous 7 to 15 bases in said exon 2,

wherein the first nucleotide sequence and the second nucleotide sequence are not contiguous to each other or do not overlap with each other.

The antisense oligomer A of the present invention is more specifically an antisense oligomer shown in (c) or (d) below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof:

-   (c) an antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising     connected two unit oligomers selected from the group consisting of     unit oligomers (c-1) to (c-6) shown below:

(c-1) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(c-2) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(c-3) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(c-4) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(c-5) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 204 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; and (c-6) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; or

-   (d) an antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising     connected two unit oligomers selected from the group consisting of     unit oligomers (d-1) to (d-7) shown below:

(d-1) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions -1 to 65 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-2) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-3) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-4) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 151 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-5) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 196 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(d-6) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 266 to 295 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene; and

-   (d-7) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to     15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin     gene.

Further, the antisense oligomer A of the present invention is more specifically an antisense oligomer shown in (e) or (f) below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof:

-   (e) an antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising     connected two unit oligomers selected from the group consisting of     unit oligomers (e-1) to (e-6) shown below:

(e-1) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions -4 to 25 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(e-2) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 112 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(e-3) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 128 to 142 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(e-4) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 169 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene;

(e-5) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 209 to 228 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; and

(e-6) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; or

-   (f) an antisense oligomer of 14 to 30 bases in length comprising     connected two unit oligomers selected from the group consisting of     unit oligomers (f-1) to (f-7) shown below:

(f-1) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 1 to 18 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-2) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 116 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-3) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 130 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-4) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 160 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-5) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 211 to 225 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene;

(f-6) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 271 to 282 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene; and

(f-7) a unit oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence consisting of contiguous 7 to 15 bases selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 341 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene.

In the antisense oligomer A of the present invention, the term “gene” is intended to include not only a genomic gene, but also cDNA, precursor mRNA, and mRNA. The gene is preferably precursor mRNA, i.e., pre-mRNA.

Pre-mRNA transcribed from the myostatin gene contains three exons and two introns in the order of (5′-terminal end) exon 1, intron 1, exon 2, intron 2 and exon 3 (3′-terminal end). Pre-mRNA is spliced to generate mature mRNA. The nucleotide sequences of the human and mouse wild-type myostatin genes are known (RefSeq Accession No. NM_005259 (human) and RefSeq Accession No. NM 010834 (mouse), respectively). The nucleotide sequence of exon 2 in the wild-type myostatin gene is as shown below:

exon 2 (human): SEQ ID NO: 323; and

exon 2 (mouse): SEQ ID NO: 324.

In the above unit oligomer (c-1), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 337.

In the above unit oligomer (c-2), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 338.

In the above unit oligomer (c-3), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 339.

In the above unit oligomer (c-4), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 340.

In the above unit oligomer (c-5), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 204 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 341.

In the above unit oligomer (c-6), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 342.

In the above unit oligomer (d-1), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 65 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 343.

In the above unit oligomer (d-2), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 344.

In the above unit oligomer (d-3), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 345.

In the above unit oligomer (d-4), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 151 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 346.

In the above unit oligomer (d-5), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 196 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 347.

In the above unit oligomer (d-6), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 266 to 295 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 364.

In the above unit oligomer (d-7), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 348.

In the above unit oligomer (e-1), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions -4 to 25 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 349.

In the above unit oligomer (e-2), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 112 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 350.

In the above unit oligomer (e-3), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 128 to 142 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 351.

In the above unit oligomer (e-4), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 169 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 352.

In the above unit oligomer (e-5), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 209 to 228 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 353.

In the above unit oligomer (e-6), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 354.

In the above unit oligomer (f-1), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 1 to 18 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 355.

In the above unit oligomer (f-2), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 116 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 356.

In the above unit oligomer (f-3), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 130 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 357.

In the above unit oligomer (f-4), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 160 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 358.

In the above unit oligomer (f-5), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 211 to 225 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 359.

In the above unit oligomer (f-6), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 271 to 282 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 365.

In the above unit oligomer (f-7), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 341 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 366.

The antisense oligomer A of the present invention has now been prepared to cause exon 2 skipping in the myostatin gene with the aim of modifying a protein encoded by the myostatin gene into a mutant protein lacking the function of myostatin. The “function of myostatin” refers to, for example, the function or activity to negatively control skeletal muscle mass. Thus, exon 2 in the myostatin gene to be skipped by the antisense oligomer A of the present invention includes not only wild-type, but also mutated forms.

More specifically, mutated exon 2 in the myostatin gene or a portion thereof is a polynucleotide shown in (a) or (b) below:

(a) a polynucleotide hybridizable under stringent conditions with a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to any nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 337 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 338 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 339 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 340 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 341 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 204 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 342 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 349 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions -4 to 25 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 350 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 112 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 351 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 128 to 142 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 352 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 169 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 353 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 209 to 228 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 354 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 343 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 65 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 344 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 345 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 346 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 151 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 347 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 196 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 364 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 266 to 295 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 348 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 355 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 1 to 18 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 356 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 116 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 357 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 130 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 358 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 160 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 359 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 211 to 255 from the 5% terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 365 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 271 to 282 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 366 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 341 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene); or

(b) a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence sharing an identity of 90% or more with any nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 337 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 338 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 339 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 340 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 341 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 204 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 342 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 349 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions -4 to 25 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 350 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 112 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 351 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 128 to 142 from the 5% terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 352 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 169 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 353 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 209 to 228 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 354 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 343 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 65 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 344 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 345 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 346 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 151 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 347 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 196 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 364 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 266 to 295 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 348 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 355 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions Ito 18 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 356 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 116 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 357 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 130 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 358 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 160 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 359 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 211 to 255 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 365 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 271 to 282 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 366 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 341 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene).

As used herein, the term “polynucleotide” is intended to mean DNA or RNA.

As used herein, the expression “nucleotide sequence complementary” is not limited only to a nucleotide sequence forming Watson-Crick pairs with a target nucleotide sequence and also includes nucleotide sequences forming wobble base pairs with a target nucleotide sequence. In this regard, a Watson-Crick pair is intended to mean a base pair which forms hydrogen bonding between adenine and thymine, between adenine and uracil or between guanine and cytosine, whereas a wobble base pair is intended to mean a base pair which forms hydrogen bonding between guanine and uracil, between inosine and uracil, between inosine and adenine or between inosine and cytosine. Moreover, such a “nucleotide sequence complementary” does not necessarily have 100% complementarity to a target nucleotide sequence and may contain non-complementary bases (e.g., 1 to 3 bases, 1 or 2 bases, or a single base) to the target nucleotide sequence.

As used herein, the expression “polynucleotide hybridizable under stringent conditions” is intended to mean, for example, an antisense oligomer that can be obtained by means of colony hybridization, plaque hybridization, Southern hybridization or other hybridization techniques using, as a probe, the whole or a part of a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to any nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 337 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 338 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 339 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 340 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 341 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 204 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 342 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 349 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −4 to 25 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 350 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 112 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 351 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 128 to 142 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 352 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 169 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 353 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 209 to 228 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 354 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 343 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 65 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 344 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 345 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 346 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 151 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 347 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 196 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 364 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 266 to 295 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 348 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 355 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 1 to 18 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 356 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 116 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 357 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 130 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 358 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 160 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 359 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 211 to 255 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 365 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 271 to 282 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 366 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 341 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene). For hybridization, it is possible to use techniques as described in, e.g., “Sambrook & Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Fourth Edition), Cold Spring Harbor, Laboratory Press 2012” and “Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons 1987-1997.”

As used herein, the term “stringent conditions” may be any of low stringent conditions, moderately stringent conditions and high stringent conditions. “Low stringent conditions” refer to, for example, conditions of 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide and 32° C. Likewise, “moderately stringent conditions” refer to, for example, conditions of 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide and 42° C. or conditions of 5×SSC, 1% SDS, 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 50% formamide and 42° C. “High stringent conditions” refer to, for example, conditions of (1) 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide and 50° C., (2) 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS and 60° C., (3) 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS and 62° C., (4) 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS and 65° C., or (5) 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS and 65° C., but are not limited thereto. Under these conditions, it can be expected that an antisense oligomer having a higher sequence identity is more efficiently obtained at a higher temperature. However, the stringency of hybridization would be affected by a plurality of factors, including temperature, probe concentration, probe length, ionic strength, reaction time, salt concentration and so on. Those skilled in the art would be able to achieve the same stringency by selecting these factors as appropriate.

It should be noted that if a commercially available kit is used for hybridization, an Alkphos Direct Labelling and Detection System (GE Healthcare) may be used for this purpose, by way of example. In this case, hybridization may be accomplished in accordance with the protocol attached to the kit, i.e., a membrane may be incubated overnight with a labeled probe and then washed with a primary washing buffer containing 0.1% (w/v) SDS under conditions of 55° C. to detect the hybridized antisense oligomer. Alternatively, if a commercially available reagent (e.g., PCR labeling mix (Roche Diagnostics)) is used for digoxigenin (DIG) labeling of a probe during probe preparation based on the whole or a part of a nucleotide sequence complementary to any nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 337 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 338 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 339 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 340 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 341 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 204 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 342 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 349 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions -4 to 25 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 350 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 112 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 351 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 128 to 142 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 352 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 169 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 353 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 209 to 228 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 354 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon .2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 343 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 65 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 344 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 345 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 346 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 151 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 347 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 196 to 233 from the 5% terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 364 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 266 to 295 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 348 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 355 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 1 to 18 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 356 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 116 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 357 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 130 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 358 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 160 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 359 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 211 to 255 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 365 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 271 to 282 from the 5′ -terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 366 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 341 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), a DIG nucleic acid detection kit (Roche Diagnostics) may be used for detection of hybridization.

In addition to those listed above, other hybridizable antisense oligomers include polynucleotides sharing an identity of 90% or more, 91% or more, 92% or more, 93% or more, 94% or more, 95% or more, 96% or more, 97% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more, 99.1% or more, 99.2% or more, 99.3% or more, 99.4% or more, 99.5% or more, 99.6% or more, 99.7% or more, 99.8% or more, or 99.9% or more with any nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 337 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 338 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 339 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 340 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 341 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 204 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 342 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 349 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions -4 to 25 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 350 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 112 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 351 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 128 to 142 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 352 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 169 to 206 from the 5 ‘-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 353 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 209 to 228 from the 5’-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 354 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 343 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 65 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 344 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 135 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 345 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 121 to 155 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 346 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 151 to 210 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 347 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 196 to 233 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 364 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 266 to 295 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 348 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 326 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 355 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 1 to 18 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 356 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 116 to 131 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 357 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 130 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 358 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 160 to 206 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 359 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 211 to 255 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 365 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 271 to 282 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 366 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 341 to 365 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), as calculated by the homology search software BLAST using default parameters.

It should be noted that the identity of nucleotide sequences can be determined by BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 872264-2268, 1990; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 5873, 1993). If BLAST is used, default parameters in each program may be used.

The unit oligomers (hereinafter also simply referred to as “units”) shown in (c) to (f) above each have a size of 7 to 15 bases in length, preferably 8 to 15 bases in length, 9 to 15 bases in length, 10 to 15 bases in length, 10 to 14 bases in length, 10 to 13 bases in length or 11 to 13 bases in length. The respective units shown in (c) to (1) above may be of the same or different size.

In the above antisense oligomer (c), either of two units selected from the group consisting of the above units (c-1) to (c-6) may be located at the 5′-terminal side.

In the above antisense oligomer (d), either of two units selected from the group consisting of the above units (d-1) to (d-7) may be located at the 5′-terminal side.

In the above antisense oligomer (e), either of two units selected from the group consisting of the above units (e-1) to (e-6) may be located at the 5′-terminal side.

In the above antisense oligomer (e), either of two units selected from the group consisting of the above units (f-1) to (f-7) may be located at the 5′-terminal side.

As used here, the term “connected” is intended to mean that two units are directly connected to each other. Namely, when two units are connected, it means that the 3′-terminal end of the unit located at the 5′-terminal side and the 5′-terminal end of the unit located at the 3′-terminal side form a phosphate bond or any of the following groups:

(wherein X represents —OH, —CH₂R¹, —O—CH₂R¹, —S—CH₂R¹, —NR²R³ or F;

R¹ represents H or alkyl;

R² and R³, which may be the same or different, each represent H, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl;

Y₁ represents O, S, CH₂ or NR¹;

Y₂ represents O, S or NR¹; and

Z represents O or S).

In a preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer A of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (c) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 103 (NMS-48), SEQ ID NO: 116 (NMS-89), SEQ ID NO: 117 (NMS-90), SEQ ID NO: 120 (NMS-93), SEQ ID NO: 128 (NMS-101), SEQ ID NO: 131 (NMS-104), SEQ ID NO: 136 (NMS-113), SEQ ID NO: 137 (NMS-117), SEQ ID NO: 140 (NMS-123), SEQ ID NO: 145 (NMS-136), SEQ ID NO: 146 (NMS-139), SEQ ID NO: 147 (NMS-140), SEQ ID NO: 148 (NMS-141), SEQ ID NO: 149 (NMS-142), SEQ ID NO: 152 (NMS-145), SEQ ID NO: 155 (NMS-148), SEQ ID NO: 156 (NMS-149), SEQ ID NO: 157 (NMS-150), SEQ ID NO: 159 (NMS-152), SEQ ID NO: 162 (NMS-156), SEQ ID NO: 163 (NMS-157), SEQ ID NO: 165 (NMS-162), SEQ ID NO: 166 (NMS-163), SEQ ID NO: 167 (NMS-164), SEQ ID NO: 168 (NMS-166), SEQ ID NO: 169 (NMS-167), SEQ ID NO: 170 (NMS-168), SEQ ID NO: 171 (NMS-169), SEQ ID NO: 176 (NMS-174), SEQ ID NO: 177 (NMS-175), SEQ ID NO: 178 (NMS-176), SEQ ID NO: 179 (NMS-177), SEQ ID NO: 180 (NMS-178), SEQ ID NO: 183 (NMS-181), SEQ ID NO: 187 (NMS-185), SEQ ID NO: 189 (NMS-188), SEQ ID NO: 190 (NMS-189), SEQ ID NO: 191 (NMS-190), SEQ ID NO: 192 (NMS-191), SEQ ID NO: 193 (NMS-192), SEQ ID NO: 196 (NMS-195), SEQ ID NO: 199 (NMS-198), SEQ ID NO: 200 (NMS-199), SEQ ID NO: 201 (NMS-200), SEQ ID NO: 203 (NMS-202), SEQ ID NO: 204 (NMS-203), SEQ ID NO: 206 (NMS-206), SEQ ID NO: 208 (NMS-208), SEQ ID NO: 212 (NMS-212), SEQ ID NO: 213 (NMS-213), SEQ ID NO: 214 (NMS-214), SEQ ID NO: 215 (NMS-215), SEQ ID NO: 217 (NMS-217), SEQ ID NO: 225 (NMS-225), SEQ ID NO: 226 (NMS-228), SEQ ID NO: 228 (NMS-230), SEQ ID NO: 229 (NMS-231), SEQ ID NO: 231 (NMS-233), SEQ ID NO: 232 (NMS-234), SEQ ID NO: 233 (NMS-235), SEQ ID NO: 236 (NMS-240), SEQ ID NO: 237 (NMS-241), SEQ ID NO: 240 (NMS-244), SEQ ID NO: 243 (NMS-247), SEQ ID NO: 244 (NMS-248), SEQ ID NO: 245 (NMS-249), SEQ ID NO: 246 (NMS-250), SEQ ID NO: 247 (NMS-251), SEQ ID NO: 248 (NMS-252), SEQ ID NO: 252 (NMS-256), SEQ ID NO: 261 (NMS-272), SEQ ID NO: 273 (NMS-284), SEQ ID NO: 274 (NMS-285), SEQ ID NO: 275 (NMS-286) and SEQ ID NO: 277 (NMS-297).

In another preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer A of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (d) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 95 (NMS-38), SEQ ID NO: 96 (NMS-39), SEQ ID NO: 107 (NMS-66), SEQ ID NO: 223 (NMS-223), SEQ ID NO: 234 (NMS-238), SEQ ID NO: 235 (NMS-239), SEQ ID NO: 242 (NMS-246), SEQ ID NO: 249 (NMS-253), SEQ ID NO: 250 (NMS-254), SEQ ID NO: 251 (NMS-255), SEQ ID NO: 257 (NMS-268), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-280), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-281), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-282), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-288), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-289), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-290), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-292), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-293), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-294), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-295), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-298), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-299), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-300), SEQ ID NO: (NMS-302) and SEQ ID NO: (NMS-303).

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer A of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (c) or (e) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 171 (NMS-169), SEQ ID NO: 192 (NMS-191), SEQ ID NO: 245 (NMS-249) and SEQ ID NO: 231 (NMS-233).

The expression “allowing exon 2 skipping in the myostatin gene” is intended to mean that upon binding the antisense oligomer A of the present invention to a transcript (e.g., pre-mRNA) of the human myostatin gene, the transcript is spliced to delete the whole or a part of exon 2 to thereby form mature mRNA which encodes mutant myostatin lacking the function of myostatin.

The antisense oligomer A of the present invention does not necessarily have a nucleotide sequence which is 100% complementary to a target sequence, as long as it allows exon 2 skipping in the myostatin gene. For example, the oligomer B of the present invention may contain non-complementary bases (e.g., 1 to 3 bases, 1 or 2 bases, or a single base) to the target sequence.

The term “binding” is used here to mean that once the antisense oligomer A of the present invention has been mixed with a transcript of the myostatin gene, both will be hybridized with each other under physiological conditions to form a duplex. The expression “under physiological conditions” is used here to mean conditions adjusted to mimic in vivo pH, salt composition and temperature, as exemplified by conditions of 25° C. to 40° C., preferably 37° C., pH 5 to 8, preferably pH 7.4, and a sodium chloride concentration of 150 mM.

The efficiency of skipping is as described later.

The antisense oligomer A of the present invention may be an oligonucleotide, a morpholino oligomer or a peptide nucleic acid oligomer. Such an oligonucleotide, a morpholino oligomer or a peptide nucleic acid oligomer is as described later.

1.2. Antisense Oligomer B of the Present Invention

The antisense oligomer B of the present invention is any one antisense oligomer selected from the group consisting of (A) to (H) shown below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof:

-   (A) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (B) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     91 to 145 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (C) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (D) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (E) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin     gene; -   (F) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     111 to 162 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin     gene; -   (G) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     166 to 195 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin     gene; and -   (H) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin     gene.

In a more preferred embodiment, the antisense oligomer B of the present invention is any one antisense oligomer selected from the group consisting of (I) to (L) shown below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof:

-   (I) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; -   (J) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     111 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene, wherein the 3 ‘-terminal base of the nucleotide sequence of 14     to 30 bases in length is a base located at position 140 from the     5’-terminal end of said exon 2; -   (K) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene; and -   (L) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence     complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases     in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions     331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin     gene.

In the antisense oligomer B of the present invention, the term “gene” is intended to include not only a genomic gene, but also cDNA, precursor mRNA, and mRNA. The gene is preferably precursor mRNA, i.e., pre-mRNA.

Pre-mRNA transcribed from the myostatin gene contains three exons and two introns in the order of (5′-terminal end) exon 1, intron 1, exon 2, intron 2 and exon 3 (3′-terminal end). Pre-mRNA is spliced to generate mature mRNA. The nucleotide sequences of the human and mouse wild-type myostatin genes are known (RefSeq Accession No. NM_005259 (human) and RefSeq Accession No. NM_010834 (mouse)). The nucleotide sequence of exon 2 in the wild-type myostatin gene is as shown below:

exon 2 (human): SEQ ID NO: 323; and

exon 2 (mouse): SEQ ID NO: 324.

A nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 (human) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 325.

A nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 (mouse) is shown in SEQ ID NO: 326.

In the above antisense oligomer (A), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 327.

In the above antisense oligomer (B), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 145 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 328.

In the above antisense oligomer (C), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 329.

In the above antisense oligomer (D), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 330.

In the above antisense oligomer (E), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 331.

In the above antisense oligomer (F), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 162 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 332.

In the above antisense oligomer (G), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 195 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 333.

In the above antisense oligomer (H), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 334.

In the above antisense oligomer (I), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions -10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 335.

In the above antisense oligomer (J), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 336.

In the above antisense oligomer (K), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 362.

In the above antisense oligomer (L), the “nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene” is shown in SEQ ID NO: 363.

The antisense oligomer B of the present invention has now been prepared to cause exon 2 skipping in the myostatin gene with the aim of modifying a protein encoded by the myostatin gene into a mutant protein lacking the function of myostatin. The “function of myostatin” refers to, for example, the function or activity to negatively control skeletal muscle mass. Thus, exon 2 in the myostatin gene to be skipped by the antisense oligomer B of the present invention includes not only wild-type, but also mutated forms.

More specifically, mutated exon 2 in the myostatin gene or a portion thereof is a polynucleotide shown in (a) or (b) below:

(a) a polynucleotide hybridizable under stringent conditions with a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to any nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 325 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 327 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 328 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 145 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 329 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 330 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 335 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 336 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 362 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 363 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 326 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 331 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 332 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 162 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 333 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 195 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 334 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene); or

(b) a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence sharing an identity of 90% or more with any nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 325 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 327 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 328 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 145 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 329 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 330 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 335 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 336 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 362 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 363 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 326 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 331 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 332 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 162 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 333 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 195 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 334 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene).

As used herein, the term “polynucleotide” is intended to mean DNA or RNA.

As used herein, the expression “nucleotide sequence complementary” is not limited only to a nucleotide sequence forming Watson-Crick pairs with a target nucleotide sequence and also includes nucleotide sequences forming wobble base pairs with a target nucleotide sequence. In this regard, a Watson-Crick pair is intended to mean a base pair which forms hydrogen bonding between adenine and thymine, between adenine and uracil or between guanine and cytosine, whereas a wobble base pair is intended to mean a base pair which forms hydrogen bonding between guanine and uracil, between inosine and uracil, between inosine and adenine or between inosine and cytosine. Moreover, such a “nucleotide sequence complementary” does not necessarily have 100% complementarity to a target nucleotide sequence and may contain non-complementary bases (e.g., 1 to 3 bases, 1 or 2 bases, or a single base) to the target nucleotide sequence.

As used herein, the expression “polynucleotide hybridizable under stringent conditions” is intended to mean, for example, an antisense oligomer that can be obtained by means of colony hybridization, plaque hybridization, Southern hybridization or other hybridization techniques using, as a probe, the whole or a part of a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to any nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 325 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 327 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 328 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 145 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 329 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 330 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 335 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 336 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 362 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 363 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 326 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 331 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 332 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 162 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 333 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 195 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 334 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene). For hybridization, it is possible to use techniques as described in, e.g., “Sambrook & Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Fourth Edition), Cold Spring Harbor, Laboratory Press 2012” and “Ausubel, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons 1987-1997.”

As used herein, the term “stringent conditions” may be any of low stringent conditions, moderately stringent conditions and high stringent conditions. “Low stringent conditions” refer to, for example, conditions of 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide and 32° C. Likewise, “moderately stringent conditions” refer to, for example, conditions of 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide and 42° C. or conditions of 5×SSC, 1% SDS, 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 50% formamide and 42° C. “High stringent conditions” refer to, for example, conditions of (1) 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide and 50° C., (2) 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS and 60° C., (3) 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS and 62° C., (4) 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS and 65° C., or (5) 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS and 65° C., but are not limited thereto. Under these conditions, it can be expected that an antisense oligomer having a higher sequence identity is more efficiently obtained at a higher temperature. However, the stringency of hybridization would be affected by a plurality of factors, including temperature, probe concentration, probe length, ionic strength, reaction time, salt concentration and so on. Those skilled in the art would be able to achieve the same stringency by selecting these factors as appropriate.

It should be noted that if a commercially available kit is used for hybridization, an Alkphos Direct Labelling and Detection System (GE Healthcare) may be used for this purpose, by way of example. In this case, hybridization may be accomplished in accordance with the protocol attached to the kit, i.e., a membrane may be incubated overnight with a labeled probe and then washed with a primary washing buffer containing 0.1% (w/v) SDS under conditions of 55° C. to detect the hybridized antisense oligomer. Alternatively, if a commercially available reagent (e.g., PCR labeling mix (Roche Diagnostics)) is used for digoxigenin (DIG) labeling of a probe during probe preparation based on the whole or a part of a nucleotide sequence complementary to any nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 325 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 327 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 328 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 145 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 329 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′ -terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 330 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 335 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 336 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 362 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 363 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 326 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 331 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 332 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 162 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 333 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 195 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 334 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), a DIG nucleic acid detection kit (Roche Diagnostics) may be used for detection of hybridization.

In addition to those listed above, other hybridizable antisense oligomers include polynucleotides sharing an identity of 90% or more, 91% or more, 92% or more, 93% or more, 94% or more, 95% or more, 96% or more, 97% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more, 99.1% or more, 99.2% or more, 99.3% or more, 99.4% or more, 99.5% or more, 99.6% or more, 99.7% or more, 99.8% or more, or 99.9% or more with SEQ ID NO: 323 (exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 325 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 327 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 328 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 145 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 329 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 330 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 335 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 336 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 362 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 363 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 324 (exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 326 (a nucleotide sequence located at position −10 from the 5′-terminal end up to the 3′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 331 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 332 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 162 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), SEQ ID NO: 333 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 195 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene) and SEQ ID NO: 334 (a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene), as calculated by the homology search software BLAST using default parameters.

It should be noted that the identity of nucleotide sequences can be determined by BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 872264-2268, 1990; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 5873, 1993). If BLAST is used, default parameters in each program may be used.

The expression “allowing exon 2 skipping in the myostatin gene” is intended to mean that upon binding the antisense oligomer B of the present invention to a transcript (e.g., pre-mRNA) of the human myostatin gene, the transcript is spliced to delete the whole or a part of exon 2 to thereby form mature mRNA which encodes mutant myostatin lacking the function of myostatin.

The antisense oligomer B of the present invention does not necessarily have a nucleotide sequence which is 100% complementary to a target sequence, as long as it allows exon 2 skipping in the myostatin gene. For example, the antisense oligomer B of the present invention may contain non-complementary bases (e.g., 1 to 3 bases, 1 or 2 bases, or a single base) to the target sequence.

The term “binding” is used here to mean that once the antisense oligomer B of the present invention has been mixed with a transcript of the myostatin gene, both will be hybridized with each other under physiological conditions to form a duplex. The expression “under physiological conditions” is used here to mean conditions adjusted to mimic in vivo pH, salt composition and temperature, as exemplified by conditions of 25° C. to 40° C., preferably 37° C., pH 5 to 8, preferably pH 7.4, and a sodium chloride concentration of 150 mM.

In another preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer B of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (A) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13 (NMS-17), SEQ ID NO: 76 (NMS-138), SEQ ID NO: 68 (NMS-120), SEQ ID NO: 75 (NMS-137), SEQ ID NO: 51 (NMS-76), SEQ ID NO: 52 (NMS-79), SEQ ID NO: 54 (NMS-81), SEQ ID NO: 55 (NMS-82), SEQ ID NO: 56 (NMS-83), SEQ ID NO: 53 (NMS-80), SEQ ID NO: 33 (NMS-49), SEQ ID NO: 63 (NMS-114), SEQ ID NO: 69 (NMS-124), SEQ ID NO: 70 (NMS-125), SEQ ID NO: 61 (NMS-110), SEQ ID NO: 31 (NMS-46), SEQ ID NO: 34 (NMS-50), SEQ ID NO: 50 (NMS-75), SEQ ID NO: 45 (NMS-67) and SEQ ID NO: 64 (NMS-115).

In a preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer B of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (B) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 (NMS-6), SEQ ID NO: 66 (NMS-118), SEQ ID NO: 67 (NMS-119), SEQ ID NO: 28 (NMS-33), SEQ ID NO: 72 (NMS-127), SEQ ID NO: 16 (NMS-20), SEQ ID NO: 82 (NMS-187) and SEQ ID NO: 25 (NMS-30).

In another preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer B of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (C) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 12 (NMS-16).

In another preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer B of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (D) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 (NMS-7).

In yet another preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer B of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (E) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 90 (NMS-51).

In yet another preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer B of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (F) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 91 (NMS-52), SEQ ID NO: 28 (NMS-33) and SEQ ID NO: 25 (NMS-30), SEQ ID NO: 41 (NMS-61), SEQ ID NO: 24 (NMS-29), SEQ ID NO: 42 (NMS-62), SEQ ID NO: 43 (NMS-63), SEQ ID NO: 11 (NMS-15), SEQ ID NO: 67 (NMS-119), SEQ ID NO: 80 (NMS-161) and SEQ ID NO: 82 (NMS-187).

In yet another preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer B of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (G) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 7 (NMS-10).

In yet another preferred embodiment of the antisense oligomer B of the present invention, the above antisense oligomer (H) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4 (NMS-7), SEQ ID NO: 9 (NMS-12), SEQ ID NO: 10 (NMS-14) and SEQ ID NO: 14 (NMS-18).

The efficiency of skipping is as described later.

The antisense oligomer B of the present invention may be an oligonucleotide, a morpholino oligomer or a peptide nucleic acid oligomer. Such an oligonucleotide, a morpholino oligomer or a peptide nucleic acid oligomer is as described later.

1.3. Skipping Efficiency

To confiiui whether or not exon skipping was caused in the myostatin gene, the antisense oligomer of the present invention may be transfected into myostatin-expressing cells (e.g., human rhabdomyosarcoma cells) and a region around the exon in mRNA of the myostatin gene may be amplified by RT-PCR from the total RNA of the above myostatin-expressing cells, followed by nested PCR or sequencing analysis on the PCR amplification product.

The efficiency of skipping may be determined as follows: mRNA of the myostatin gene is collected from test cells and the mRNA is measured for the polynucleotide level “A” in the band with exon skipping and the polynucleotide level “B” in the band without exon skipping, followed by calculation based on these measured values of “A” and “B” according to the following equation.

Skipping efficiency (%)={A/(A+B)}×100

In a preferred embodiment, the antisense oligomer of the present invention causes exon skipping with an efficiency of 10% or more, 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, or 90% or more.

As to the calculation of skipping efficiency, reference may be made to WO2012/029986.

1.4. Oligonucleotide, Morpholino Oligomer or Peptide Nucleic Acid Oligomer

The antisense oligomer of the present invention may be exemplified by an oligonucleotide, a morpholino oligomer or a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomer, each being 14 to 30 bases in length. The antisense oligomer of the present invention is preferably 15 to 29 bases, 16 to 28 bases, 17 to 27 bases or 18 to 26 bases in length, and is preferably a morpholino oligomer.

The above oligonucleotide (hereinafter referred to as “the oligonucleotide of the present invention”) is an antisense oligomer according to the present invention, whose constituent unit is a nucleotide, and such a nucleotide may be any of a ribonucleotide, a deoxyribonucleotide or a modified nucleotide.

A modified nucleotide refers to a ribonucleotide or deoxyribonucleotide whose nucleobase, sugar moiety and phosphate bond moiety are all or partly modified.

In the present invention, examples of a nucleobase include adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, cytosine, thymine, uracil, or modified bases thereof. Such modified bases may be exemplified by pseudouracil, 3-methyluracil, dihydrouracil, 5-alkylcytosines (e.g., 5-methylcytosine), 5-alkyluracils (e.g., 5-ethyluracil), 5-halouracils (e.g., 5-bromouracil), 6-azapyrimidine, 6-alkylpyrimidines (e.g., 6-methyluracil), 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 4-acetylcytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxymethyl)uracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, 1-methyladenine, 1-methylhypoxanthine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 2-methyladenine, 2-methylguanine, N6-methyladenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, 5-methylaminomethyluracil, 5-methylcarbonylmethyluracil, 5-methyloxyuracil, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid, 2-thiocytosine, purine, 2,6-diaminopurine, 2-aminopurine, isoguanine, indole, imidazole, xanthine and so on, but are not limited thereto.

Modifications to the sugar moiety may be exemplified by modifications at the 2′-position of ribose and modifications at the other positions of sugar. Examples of modifications at the 2′-position of ribose include modifications intended to replace the —OH group at the 2′-position of ribose with OR, R, R′OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NR₂, N₃, CN, F, Cl, Br or I, wherein R represents alkyl or aryl, and R′ represents alkylene.

Examples of modifications at the other positions of sugar include replacement of O with S at the 4′-position of ribose or deoxyribose, and bridging between 2′- and 4′-positions of sugar, as exemplified by LNAs (locked nucleic acids) or ENAs (2′-O,4′-C-ethylene-bridged nucleic acids), but are not limited thereto.

Modifications to the phosphate bond moiety may be exemplified by modifications intended to replace the phosphodiester bond with a phosphorothioate bond, a phosphorodithioate bond, an alkylphosphonate bond, a phosphoroamidate bond or a boranophosphate bond (Enya et al: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, 18, 9154-9160) (see, e.g., JP WO2006/129594 and JP WO2006/038608).

In the present invention, alkyl is preferably a linear or branched alkyl containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms. More specifically, examples include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, tert-pentyl, n-hexyl and isohexyl. Such an alkyl may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents including halogen, alkoxy, cyano, nitro, etc.

In the present invention, cycloalkyl is preferably a cycloalkyl containing 5 to 12 carbon atoms. More specifically, examples include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclodecyl and cyclododecyl.

In the present invention, halogens include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Alkoxy may be a linear or branched alkoxy containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, as exemplified by methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, n-pentyloxy, isopentyloxy, n-hexyloxy, isohexyloxy and so on. Particularly preferred is an alkoxy containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

In the present invention, aryl is preferably an aryl containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms. More specifically, examples include phenyl, α-naphthyl and β-naphthyl. Particularly preferred is phenyl. Such an aryl may be substituted with 1 to 3 substituents including alkyl, halogen, alkoxy, cyano, nitro, etc.

In the present invention, alkylene is preferably a linear or branched alkylene containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms. More specifically, examples include methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, 2-(ethyl)trimethylene and 1-(methyl)tetramethylene.

In the present invention, acyl may be a linear or branched alkanoyl or an aroyl. Examples of such an alkanoyl include formyl, acetyl, 2-methylacetyl, 2,2-dimethylacetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, pentanoyl, 2,2-dimethylpropionyl, hexanoyl and so on. Examples of an aroyl include benzoyl, toluoyl and naphthoyl. Such an aroyl may be substituted at any substitutable position and may be substituted with alkyl(s).

The oligonucleotide of the present invention is preferably an antisense oligomer according to the present invention, whose constituent unit is a group represented by the following general formula, in which the —OH group at the 2′-position of ribose is substituted with methoxy and the phosphate bond moiety is a phosphorothioate bond:

(wherein Base represents a nucleobase).

The oligonucleotide of the present invention may be readily synthesized with various automatic synthesizers (e.g., FOCUS (Aapptec), AKTA oligopilot plus 10/100 (GE Healthcare)), or alternatively, its synthesis may be entrusted to a third party (e.g., Promega, Takara, or Japan Bio Services), etc.

The morpholino oligomer of the present invention is an antisense oligomer according to the present invention, whose constituent unit is a group represented by the following general formula:

(wherein Base is the same as defined above; and

W represents a group represented by any of the following formulae:

(wherein X represents —CH₂R¹, —O—CH₂R¹, —S—CH₂R¹, —NR²R³ or F;

R¹ represents H or alkyl;

R² and R³, which may be the same or different, each represent H, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl;

Y₁ represents O, S, CH₂ or NR¹;

Y₂ represents O, S or NR¹; and

Z represents O or S)).

The morpholino oligomer is preferably an oligomer whose constituent unit is a group represented by the following formula (i.e., a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (hereinafter referred to as “PMO”)):

(wherein Base, R² and R³ are the same as defined above).

For example, the morpholino oligomer may be prepared in accordance with WO1991/009033 or WO2009/064471. In particular, PMO may be prepared in accordance with the procedures described in WO2009/064471 or may be prepared in accordance with the procedures shown below.

[Process for PMO Preparation]

As one embodiment of PMO, a compound represented by the following general formula (I) (hereinafter referred to as PMO (I)) may be given by way of example:

[wherein each Base, R² and R³ are the same as defined above; and

n is any integer in the range of 1 to 99, preferably any integer in the range of 13 to 29, 14 to 28 or 15 to 27, 16 to 26, 17 to 25].

PMO (I) may be prepared in accordance with known procedures, for example, by conducting the operations shown in the following steps.

Compounds and reagents used in the following steps are not limited in any way as long as they are commonly used for PMO preparation.

Moreover, all the following steps may be accomplished by the liquid phase method or the solid phase method (in accordance with instruction manuals or using a commercially available solid phase automatic synthesizer). When PMO is prepared by the solid phase method, it is desirable to use an automatic synthesizer in terms of simple operation and accurate synthesis.

(1) Step A:

This is a step where a compound represented by the following general formula (II) (hereinafter referred to as compound (II)) is treated with an acid to prepare a compound represented by the following general formula (III) (hereinafter referred to as compound (III)):

[wherein n, R² and R³ are the same as defined above;

each B^(P) independently represents a nucleobase which may be protected;

T represents a trityl group, a monomethoxytrityl group or a dimethoxytrityl group; and

L represents hydrogen, acyl or a group represented by the following general formula (IV) (hereinafter referred to as group (IV))]:

“Nucleobases” possible for BP may be exemplified by the same “nucleobases” as listed for Base, provided that amino groups or hydroxyl groups in these nucleobases for BP may be protected.

Protecting groups for these amino groups are not limited in any way as long as they are used as protecting groups for nucleic acids. More specifically, examples include benzoyl, 4-methoxybenzoyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, phenylacetyl, phenoxyacetyl, 4-tert-butylphenoxyacetyl, 4-isopropylphenoxyacetyl, and (dimethylamino)methylene. Protecting groups for hydroxyl groups include, for example, 2-cyanoethyl, 4-nitrophenethyl, phenylsulfonylethyl, methylsulfonylethyl, trimethylsilylethyl, phenyl which may be substituted with 1 to 5 electron withdrawing groups at any substitutable position(s), diphenylcarbamoyl, dimethylcarbamoyl, diethylcarbamoyl, methylphenylcarbamoyl, 1-pyrrolidinylcarbamoyl, morpholinocarbamoyl, 4-(tert-butylcarboxy)benzyl, 4-[(dimethylamino)carboxy]benzyl, and 4-(phenylcarboxy)benzyl (see, e.g., WO2009/064471).

The “solid carrier” is not limited in any way as long as it is a carrier available for use in the solid phase reaction of nucleic acids, but it is desirable to use, for example, a carrier which (i) is sparingly soluble in reagents available for use in the synthesis of morpholino nucleic acid derivatives (e.g., dichloromethane, acetonitrile, tetrazole, N-methylimidazole, pyridine, acetic anhydride, lutidine, trifluoroacetic acid), (ii) is chemically stable against the reagents available for use in the synthesis of morpholino nucleic acid derivatives, (iii) can be chemically modified, (iv) can be loaded with desired morpholino nucleic acid derivatives, (v) has strength sufficient to withstand high pressure during processing, and (vi) has a certain range of particle size and distribution. More specifically, examples include swelling polystyrenes (e.g., aminomethyl polystyrene resin crosslinked with 1% divinylbenzene (200 to 400 mesh) (2.4 to 3.0 mmol/g) (Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Japan), Aminomethylated Polystyrene Resin HCl [divinylbenzene 1%, 100 to 200 mesh] (Peptide Institute, Inc., Japan)), non-swelling polystyrenes (e.g., Primer Support (GE Healthcare)), PEG chain-liked polystyrenes (e.g., NH2-PEG resin (Watanabe Chemical Industries, Ltd., Japan), TentaGel resin), controlled pore glass (CPG) (e.g., a product of CPG Inc.), oxalylated controlled pore glass (see, e.g., Alul et al., Nucleic Acids Research, Vol. 19, 1527 (1991)), TentaGel support-aminopolyethylene glycol-derivatized support (see, e.g., Wright et al., Tetrahedron Letters, Vol. 34, 3373 (1993)), and a Poros-polystyrene/divinylbenzene copolymer.

As a “linker,” it is possible to use a known linker which is commonly used to link a nucleic acid or a morpholino nucleic acid derivative, and examples include 3-aminopropyl, succinyl, 2,2′-diethanol sulfonyl, and a long-chain alkylamino (LCAA).

This step may be accomplished by treating compound (II) with an acid.

Examples of an “acid” available for use in this step include trifluoroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid or trichloroacetic acid. The amount of an acid to be used is, for example, reasonably in the range of 0.1 molar equivalents to 1000 molar equivalents, preferably in the range of 1 molar equivalent to 100 molar equivalents, relative to 1 mole of compound (II).

Moreover, it is possible to use an organic amine together with the above acid. Any organic amine may be used for this purpose, and examples include triethylamine. The amount of an organic amine to be used is, for example, reasonably in the range of 0.01 molar equivalents to 10 molar equivalents, preferably in the range of 0.1 molar equivalents to 2 molar equivalents, relative to 1 mole of the acid.

In a case where an acid and an organic amine are used as a salt or mixture in this step, examples include a salt or mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and triethylamine, more specifically a mixture containing 2 equivalents of trifluoroacetic acid and 1 equivalent of triethylamine.

An acid available for use in this step may be used by being diluted with an appropriate solvent to give a concentration in the range of 0.1% to 30%. Any solvent may be used for this purpose as long as it is inert to the reaction, and examples include dichloromethane, acetonitrile, alcohols (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, trifluoroethanol), water, or mixtures thereof.

The reaction temperature in the above reaction is, for example, preferably in the range of 10° C. to 50° C., more preferably in the range of 20° C. to 40° C., and even more preferably in the range of 25° C. to 35° C.

The reaction time will vary depending on the type of acid to be used and/or the reaction temperature, but it is generally reasonably in the range of 0.1 minutes to 24 hours, and preferably in the range of 1 minute to 5 hours.

Moreover, after completion of this step, a base may optionally be added to neutralize the acid remaining in the system. Any “base” may be used for this purpose and examples include diisopropylethylamine. Such a base may be used by being diluted with an appropriate solvent to give a concentration in the range of 0.1% (v/v) to 30% (v/v).

Any solvent may be used in this step as long as it is inert to the reaction, and examples include dichloromethane, acetonitrile, alcohols (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, trifluoroethanol), water, or mixtures thereof. The reaction temperature is, for example, preferably in the range of 10° C. to 50° C., more preferably in the range of 20° C. to 40° C., and even more preferably in the range of 25° C. to 35° C.

The reaction time will vary depending on the type of base to be used and/or the reaction temperature, but it is generally reasonably in the range of 0.1 minutes to 24 hours, and preferably in the range of 1 minute to 5 hours.

It should be noted that compound (II) in which n =1 and L is group (IV), i.e., a compound represented by the following general formula (IIa) (hereinafter referred to as compound (IIa)) may be prepared in accordance with the following procedures:

[wherein B^(P), T, Linker and Solid carrier are the same as defined above].

Step 1:

This is a step where a compound represented by the following general formula (V) is treated with an acylating agent to prepare a compound represented by the following general formula (VI) (hereinafter referred to as compound (VI)):

[wherein B^(P), T and Linker are the same as defined above; and

R⁴ represents a hydroxyl group, halogen, a carboxyl group or amino].

This step may be accomplished starting from compound (V) by any known reaction for linker introduction.

In particular, a compound represented by the following general formula (VIa) may be prepared by any process known as esterification reaction with the use of compound (V) and succinic anhydride:

[wherein B^(P) and T are the same as defined above].

Step 2:

This is a step where compound (VI) is reacted with a solid carrier by being treated with a condensing agent or the like to prepare compound (IIa):

[wherein B^(P), R⁴, T, Linker and Solid carrier are the same as defined above].

This step may be accomplished by any process known as condensation reaction with the use of compound (VI) and a solid carrier.

Compound (II) in which n=2 to 99 (preferably any an integer in the range of 13 to 29, 14 to 28, 15 to 27, 16 to 26, or 17 to 25) and L is group (IV), i.e., a compound represented by the following general formula (IIa2) may be prepared starting from compound (IIa) by repeating desired times Steps A and B of the process for PMO preparation disclosed herein:

[wherein B^(P), R², R³, T, Linker and Solid carrier are the same as defined above; and

n′ represents 1 to 98 (in particular embodiments, n′ represents 1 to 28, 1 to 27, 1 to 26, 1 to 25, or 1 to 24)].

(2) Step B:

This is a step where compound (III) is treated with a morpholino monomer compound in the presence of a base to prepare a compound represented by the following general formula (VII) (hereinafter referred to as compound (VII)):

[wherein each B^(P), L, n, R², R³ and T are the same as defined above].

This step may be accomplished by treating compound (III) with a morpholino monomer compound in the presence of a base.

Such a morpholino monomer compound may be exemplified by a compound represented by the following general formula (VIII):

[wherein B^(P), R², R³ and T are the same as defined above].

Examples of a “base” available for use in this step include diisopropylethylamine, triethylamine or N-ethylmorpholine. The amount of a base to be used is, for example, reasonably in the range of 1 molar equivalent to 1000 molar equivalents, preferably in the range of 10 molar equivalents to 100 molar equivalents, relative to 1 mole of compound (III).

Such a morpholino monomer compound and a base available for use in this step may be used by being diluted with an appropriate solvent to give a concentration of 0.1% to 30%. Any solvent may be used for this purpose as long as it is inert to the reaction, and examples include N,N-dimethylimidazolidone, N-methylpiperidone, DMF, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, or mixtures thereof.

The reaction temperature is, for example, preferably in the range of 0° C. to 100° C., and more preferably in the range of 10° C. to 50° C.

The reaction time will vary depending on the type of base to be used and/or the reaction temperature, but it is generally reasonably in the range of 1 minute to 48 hours, and preferably in the range of 30 minutes to 24 hours.

Moreover, after completion of this step, an acylating agent may optionally be added. Examples of an “acylating agent” include acetic anhydride, acetic acid chloride and phenoxyacetic anhydride. Such an acylating agent may be used by being diluted with an appropriate solvent to give a concentration in the range of 0.1% to 30%, by way of example. Any solvent may be used for this purpose as long as it is inert to the reaction, and examples include dichloromethane, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, alcohols (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, trifluoroethanol), water, or mixtures thereof.

If necessary, it is possible to use a base (e.g., pyridine, lutidine, collidine, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, N-ethylmorpholine) together with an acylating agent. The amount of an acylating agent to be used is preferably in the range of 0.1 molar equivalents to 10000 molar equivalents, and more preferably in the range of 1 molar equivalent to 1000 molar equivalents. The amount of a base to be used is, for example, reasonably in the range of 0.1 molar equivalents to 100 molar equivalents, preferably in the range of 1 molar equivalent to 10 molar equivalents, relative to 1 mole of an acylating agent.

The reaction temperature in this reaction is preferably in the range of 10° C. to 50° C., more preferably in the range of 10° C. to 50° C., even more preferably in the range of 20° C. to 40° C., and still even more preferably in the range of 25° C. to 35° C. The reaction time will vary, e.g., depending on the type of acylating agent to be used and/or the reaction temperature, but it is generally reasonably in the range of 0.1 minutes to 24 hours, and preferably in the range of 1 minute to 5 hours.

(3) Step C:

This is a step where a deprotecting agent is used to remove the protecting groups from compound (VII) prepared in Step B, thereby preparing a compound represented by general formula (IX):

[wherein Base, B^(P), L, n, R², R³ and T are the same as defined above].

This step may be accomplished by treating compound (VII) with a deprotecting agent.

Examples of a “deprotecting agent” include concentrated aqueous ammonia and methylamine. Such a “deprotecting agent” available for use in this step may be used by being diluted with water, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, DMF, N,N-dimethylimidazolidinone, N-methylpiperidone, or a mixed solvent thereof. Among them, preferred is ethanol. The amount of a deprotecting agent to be used is, for example, reasonably in the range of 1 molar equivalent to 100000 molar equivalents, preferably in the range of 10 molar equivalents to 1000 molar equivalents, relative to 1 mole of compound (VII), by way of example.

The reaction temperature is, for example, reasonably in the range of 15° C. to 75° C., preferably in the range of 40° C. to 70° C., and more preferably in the range of 50° C. to 60° C. The reaction time for deprotection will vary depending on the type of compound (VII) and/or the reaction temperature, etc., but it is reasonably in the range of 10 minutes to 30 hours, preferably in the range of 30 minutes to 24 hours, and more preferably in the range of 5 hours to 20 hours.

(4) Step D:

This is a step where compound (LX) prepared in Step C is treated with an acid to prepare PMO (I):

[wherein Base, n, R², R³ and T are the same as defined above].

This step may be accomplished by adding an acid to compound (IX).

Examples of an “acid” available for use in this step include trichloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid, etc. As to the amount of an acid to be used, it is reasonable to use the acid in an amount to give a solution pH, for example, in the range of 0.1 to 4.0, more preferably in the range of 1.0 to 3.0. Any solvent may be used in this step as long as it is inert to the reaction, and examples include acetonitrile, water, or mixed solvents thereof.

The reaction temperature is preferably in the range of 10° C. to 50° C., more preferably in the range of 20° C. to 40° C., and even more preferably in the range of 25° C. to 35° C. The reaction time for deprotection will vary depending on the type of compound (IX) and/or the reaction temperature, etc., but it is reasonably in the range of 0.1 minutes to 5 hours, preferably in the range of 1 minute to 1 hour, and more preferably in the range of 1 minute to 30 minutes.

PMO (I) may be obtained from the reaction mixture obtained in this step by commonly used separation and purification means including extraction, concentration, neutralization, filtration, centrifugation, recrystallization, C₈ to C₁₈ reversed-phase column chromatography, cation exchange column chromatography, anion exchange column chromatography, gel filtration column chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, dialysis, ultrafiltration and other means, which may be used either alone or in combination, whereby desired PMO (I) can be isolated and purified (see, e.g., WO1991/09033).

In the case of using reversed-phase chromatography for purification of PMO (I), a mixed solution of 20 mM triethylamine/acetate buffer and acetonitrile may be used as an elution solvent, by way of example.

Likewise, in the case of using ion exchange chromatography for purification of PMO (I), a mixed solution of 1 M aqueous sodium chloride and 10 mM aqueous sodium hydroxide may be used, by way of example.

The peptide nucleic acid oligomer is an antisense oligomer according to the present invention, whose constituent unit is a group represented by the following general formula:

(wherein Base is the same as defined above).

Peptide nucleic acids may be prepared, for example, in accordance with the documents listed below.

-   1) P. E. Nielsen, M. Egholm, R. H. Berg, O. Buchardt, Science, 254,     1497 (1991) -   2) M. Egholm, O. Buchardt, P. E. Nielsen, R. H. Berg, Jacs., 114,     1895 (1992) -   3) K. L. Dueholm, M. Egholm, C. Behrens, L. Christensen, H. F.     Hansen, T. Vulpius, K. H. Petersen, R. H. Berg, P. E. Nielsen, O.     Buchardt, J. Org. Chem., 59, 5767 (1994) -   4) L. Christensen, R. Fitzpatrick, B. Gildea, K. H. Petersen, H. F.     Hansen, T. Koch, M. Egholm, O. Buchardt, P. E. Nielsen, J.     Coull, R. H. Berg, J. Pept. Sci., 1, 175 (1995) -   5) T. Koch, H. F. Hansen, P. Andersen, T. Larsen, H. G. Batz, K.     Otteson, H. Orum, J. Pept. Res., 49, 80 (1997)

Moreover, the antisense oligomer of the present invention may be configured such that its 5′-terminal end is any one of the groups represented by chemical formulae (1) to (3) shown below, with (3) —OH being preferred.

2. Pharmaceutical Composition

In a preferred embodiment, the antisense oligomer of the present invention allows inhibition of myostatin at the mRNA level through induction of exon skipping or mRNA degradation. Thus, an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease can be prevented or treated when the antisense oligomer of the present invention according to this preferred embodiment, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof is administered to a subject in need of prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

In some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof as an active ingredient (hereinafter referred to as “the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention”). The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is preferably provided for use in the treatment of a metabolic disorder (e.g., obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes), an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease. Examples of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease include myogenic amyotrophy (e.g., muscular dystrophy (e.g., Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Fukuyama muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy), congenital myopathy, inclusion body myositis), neurogenic amyotrophy (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy), disuse amyotrophy (e.g., apoplexy-induced disuse syndrome), muscle wasting diseases (e.g., cancer cachexia, sepsis-related amyotrophy), various types of sarcopenia including age-related skeletal muscle loss (age-related sarcopenia), etc., with muscular dystrophy being preferred.

In some other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease, which comprises administering a subject in need of prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease with a therapeutically effective amount of the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof. In this method, the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof may be administered to the subject in the form of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, the term “subject” is intended to mean a human subject or a non-human warm-blooded animal, as exemplified by birds and non-human mammals (e.g., cow, monkey, cat, mouse, rat, guinea pig, hamster, pig, dog, rabbit, sheep, horse). The “subject” is preferably a human subject.

In some yet other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided use of the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

In some yet other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof for use in the treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.

Examples of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the antisense oligomer of the present invention contained in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include alkali metal salts (e.g., sodium salt, potassium salt, lithium salt); alkaline earth metal salts (e.g., calcium salt, magnesium salt); metal salts (e.g., aluminum salt, iron salt, zinc salt, copper salt, nickel salt, cobalt salt); ammonium salt; organic amine salts (e.g., t-octylamine salt, dibenzylamine salt, morpholine salt, glucosamine salt, phenylglycine alkyl ester salt, ethylenediamine salt, N-methylglucamine salt, guanidine salt, diethylamine salt, triethylamine salt, dicyclohexylamine salt, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine salt, chloroprocaine salt, procaine salt, diethanolamine salt, N-benzyl-phenethylamine salt, piperazine salt, tetramethylammonium salt, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane salt); hydrohalic acid salts (e.g., hydrofluoride salt, hydrochloride salt, hydrobromide salt, hydroiodide salt); inorganic acid salts (i.e., nitrate salt, perchlorate salt, sulfate salt, phosphate salt); lower alkanesulfonic acid salts (e.g., methanesulfonate salt, trifluoromethanesulfonate salt, ethanesulfonate salt); arylsulfonic acid salts (e.g., benzenesulfonate salt, p-toluenesulfonate salt); organic acid salts (e.g., acetate salt, malate salt, fumarate salt, succinate salt, citrate salt, tartrate salt, oxalate salt, maleate salt); amino acid salts (e.g., glycine salt, lysine salt, arginine salt, ornithine salt, glutamate salt, aspartate salt), etc. These salts may be prepared in any known manner.

The antisense oligomer of the present invention contained in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be in the form of a hydrate thereof. Such a hydrate may be prepared in any known manner.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be administered in any pharmaceutically acceptable mode, which may be selected as appropriate for the intended therapeutic method. However, in terms of easy delivery to muscle tissue, preferred are intravenous administration, intraarterial administration, intramuscular administration, subcutaneous administration, oral administration, interstitial administration, percutaneous administration and so on. Moreover, the composition of the present invention may be in any dosage form, and examples include various types of injections, oral formulations, drops, inhalants, ointments, lotions, etc.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a carrier which promotes the delivery of the oligomer to muscle tissue. Such a carrier is not limited in any way as long as it is pharmaceutically acceptable, and examples include cationic carriers (e.g., cationic liposomes, cationic polymers) or viral envelope-based carriers. Examples of cationic liposomes include liposomes formed from 2-O-(2-diethylaminoethyl)carbamoyl-1,3-O-dioleoyl glycerol and a phospholipid as essential constituent members (hereinafter referred to as “liposome A”), Oligofectamine® (Invitrogen), Lipofectin® (Invitrogen), Lipofeetamine® (Invitrogen), Lipofectamine 2000® (Invitrogen), DMRIE-C® (Invitrogen), GeneSilencer® (Gene Therapy Systems), TransMessenger® (QIAGEN), TransIT TKO® (Mirus) and Nucleofector II (Lonza). Among them, preferred is liposome A. Examples of cationic polymers include JetSI® (Qbiogene) and Jet-PEI® (polyethyleneimine, Qbiogene). Examples of viral envelope-based carriers include GenomeOne® (HVJ-E liposomes, Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd., Japan). Alternatively, it is also possible to use the pharmaceutical device shown in Japanese Patent No. 2924179 or the cationic carriers shown in JP WO2006/129594 and JP WO2008/096690.

For more details, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,235,871 and 4,737,323, WO96/14057, “New RRC, Liposomes: A practical approach, IRL Press, Oxford (1990) pages 33-104,” etc.

The concentration of the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof contained in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will vary, e.g., depending on the type of carrier, but it is reasonably in the range of 0.1 nM to 100 μM, and preferably in the range of 100 nM to 10 μM. Likewise, the weight ratio of the carrier to the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof contained in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention (i.e., the carrier/antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof ratio) will vary, e.g., depending on the properties of the oligomer and the type of the carrier, but it is reasonably in the range of 0.1 to 100, and preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may optionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable additive, in addition to the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof and a carrier as described above. Examples of such an additive include an emulsifier aid (e.g., a fatty acid containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, albumin, dextran), a stabilizing agent (e.g., cholesterol, phosphatidic acid), an isotonizing agent (e.g., sodium chloride, glucose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, trehalose), and a pH adjuster (e.g., hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, triethanolamine). These additives may be used either alone or in combination. The content of the additive(s) in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is reasonably 90% by weight or less, preferably 70% by weight or less, and more preferably 50% by weight or less.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be prepared by adding the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof to a dispersion of a carrier, followed by adequate stirring. An additive(s) may be added at any appropriate stage, either before or after adding the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof. Any aqueous solvent may be used for adding the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof as long as it is pharmaceutically acceptable, and examples include injectable water, injectable distilled water, electrolytic solutions (e.g., physiological saline), and sugar solutions (e.g., glucose solution, maltose solution). Moreover, in this case, conditions including pH and temperature may be selected as appropriate by those skilled in the art.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be formulated into a solution or a lyophilized formulation thereof, by way of example. Such a lyophilized formulation may be prepared in a standard manner by freeze-drying the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention in a solution form. For example, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention in a solution form may be sterilized as appropriate and then dispensed in given amounts into vial bottles, followed by preliminary freezing under conditions of about −40° C. to −20° C. for about 2 hours, primary drying at about 0° C. to 10° C. under reduced pressure and then secondary drying at about 15° C. to 25° C. under reduced pressure. Moreover, in most cases, the vials may be purged with a nitrogen gas and then capped, thereby giving a lyophilized formulation of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.

Such a lyophilized formulation of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may generally be used after being reconstituted by addition of any appropriate solution (i.e., a reconstituting solution). Examples of such a reconstituting solution include injectable water, physiological saline, and other commonly used infusion solutions. The volume of such a reconstituting solution will vary, e.g., depending on the intended use and is not limited in any way, but it is reasonably 0.5- to 2-fold greater than the solution volume before freeze-drying, or 500 mL or less.

The dose for administration of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is desirably adjusted in consideration of the type of the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof contained therein, the intended dosage form, the condition of a subject such as age and body weight, the route of administration, and the nature and severity of a disease. If the subject is a human subject, the daily dose for adults is generally in the range of 0.1 mg to 10 g/human, preferably in the range of 1 mg to 1 g/human, calculated as the amount of the antisense oligomer of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof. This numerical range may vary depending on the type of disease to be targeted, the mode of administration, and/or the type of target molecule. Thus, a dose lower than this range may be sufficient in some cases, or conversely, a dose higher than this range should be required in some cases. Moreover, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be administered once to several times a day or at intervals of one to several days.

In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be a pharmaceutical composition comprising a vector capable of expressing the antisense oligonucleotide of the present invention and a carrier as described above. Such an expression vector may be capable of expressing a plurality of antisense oligonucleotides according to the present invention. Such a pharmaceutical composition may optionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable additive, as described above. The concentration of the expression vector contained in this pharmaceutical composition will vary, e.g., depending on the type of carrier, but it is reasonably in the range of 0.1 nM to 100 μM, and preferably in the range of 100 nM to 10 μM. The weight ratio of the carrier to the expression vector contained in this pharmaceutical composition (i.e., the carrier/expression vector ratio) will vary, e.g., depending on the properties of the expression vector and the type of the carrier, but it is reasonably in the range of 0.1 to 100, and preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10. Moreover, the content of the carrier contained in this pharmaceutical composition is the same as described above, and procedures for preparation are also the same as described above.

It should be noted that all publications cited herein, including prior art documents, patent gazettes and other patent documents, are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention will be further described in more detail below by way of the following illustrative examples, although the present invention is not limited thereto.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be further described in more detail below by way of the following illustrative examples and test examples, although the present invention is not limited thereto.

Reference Example 1 4-{[(2S,6R)-6-(5-Methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid loaded on aminopolystyrene resin Step 1: Preparation of 4-{[(2S,6R)-6-(5-methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid

Under an argon atmosphere, 1-[(2R,6S)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]-5-methylpyrimidine-2,4-dione (41.11 g) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (4-DMAP) (15.58 g) were suspended in dichloromethane (850 mL), and succinic anhydride (12.76 g) was then added thereto, followed by stirring at room temperature for 3.5 hours. The reaction solution was extracted with dichloromethane and 1 M aqueous sodium dihydrogen phosphate. The resulting organic layer was washed sequentially with 1 M aqueous sodium dihydrogen phosphate and saturated aqueous sodium chloride. The resulting organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. To the resulting solid, dichloromethane (600 mL) was added to effect crystallization, followed by filtration. After additional dichloromethane (300 mL) was added, the crystals were stirred for 5 minutes, and then filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure to obtain the desired product (50.2 g).

Step 2: Preparation of 4-{[(25,6R)-6-(5-methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]methoxy) -4-oxobutanoic acid loaded on aminopolystyrene resin

4-[(2S,6R)-6-(5-Methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid (50.2 g) was dissolved in pyridine (dehydrated) (600 mL), followed by addition of 4-DMAP (12.4 g) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (77.6 g). The aminopolystyrene resin Aminomethyl resin (a product of Watanabe Chemical Industries, Ltd., Japan, A00673, 200 to 400 mesh, 1 mmol/g, 1% DVB) (40.5 g) and triethylamine (69.6 mL) were then added to this mixture, followed by shaking at room temperature for 4 days. After the reaction, the resin was collected by filtration. The resulting resin was washed sequentially with pyridine, methanol and dichloromethane, and then dried under reduced pressure. To the resulting resin, tetrahydrofuran (dehydrated) (500 mL), acetic anhydride (104 mL) and 2,6-lutidine (128 mL) were added, followed by shaking at room temperature for 4 hours. The resin was collected by filtration, washed sequentially with pyridine, methanol and dichloromethane, and then dried under reduced pressure to obtain 59.0 g of the desired product.

To determine the loading amount of the desired product, the molar amount of trityl per gram of the resin was measured in a known mariner as UV absorbance at 409 nm. The loading amount on the resin was found to be 467.83 μmol/g.

Conditions for UV measurement

Instrument: U-2910 (Hitachi, Ltd., Japan)

Solvent: methanesulfonic acid

Wavelength: 409 nm

ε value: 45000

Reference Example 2 4-{[(2S,6R)-6-(4-Benzamido-2-oxopyrimidin-1-yl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic Acid Loaded on Aminopolystyrene Resin

The same procedures as shown in Reference Example 1 were repeated to prepare the titled compound, except that 1-[(2R,6S)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]-5-methylpyrimidine-2,4-dione used in Step 1 of Reference Example 1 was replaced in this step with N-{1-[(2R,6S)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-4-yl}benzamide.

To determine the loading amount of the desired product, the molar amount of trityl per gram of the resin was measured in a known manner as UV absorbance at 409 nm. The loading amount on the resin was found to be 460.28 μmol/g.

Reference Example 3 4-{[(2S,6R)-6-(6-Benzamidopurin-9-yl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid loaded on aminopolystyrene resin

The same procedures as shown in Reference Example 1 were repeated to prepare the titled compound, except that 1-[(2R,6S)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]-5-methylpyrimidine-2,4-dione used in Step 1 of Reference Example 1 was replaced in this step with N-{9-[(2R,6S)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]purin-6-yl}benzamide.

To determine the loading amount of the desired product, the molar amount of trityl per gram of the resin was measured in a known manner as UV absorbance at 409 nm. The loading amount on the resin was found to be 425.13 μmol/g.

Reference Example 4 4-{{(2S,6R)-6-{6-(2-Cyanoethoxy)-2-[(2-phenoxyacetyl)amino]purin-9-yl}-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl}methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic Acid Loaded on Aminopolystyrene Resin

The same procedures as shown in Reference Example 1 were repeated to prepare the titled compound, except that 1-[(2R,6S)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]-5-methylpyrimidine-2,4-dione used in Step 1 of Reference Example 1 was replaced in this step with N-{6-(2-cyanoethoxy)-9-[(2R,6S)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]purin-2-yl}-2-phenoxyacetamide.

To determine the loading amount of the desired product, the molar amount of trityl per gram of the resin was measured in a known manner as UV absorbance at 409 nm. The loading amount on the resin was found to be 341.09 μmol/g.

In accordance with the descriptions in Example 1 shown below or in accordance with the procedures described in PCT/JP2015/57180 using a nucleic acid synthesizer (AKTA Oligopilot 10 plus), PMO Nos. 1 to 191, 198, 199, 201 to 316, 321 to 323, 325 to 327 and 333 indicated in Tables 1 to 3 were synthesized (the 5′-terminal end is group (3)).

TABLE 1 Molecular Molecular PMO weight weight SEQ No. Sequence name Nucleotide sequence (5′>3′) (calculated) (measured) ID NO:   1 MSTN_H2_128-140_157-169 TTCATAGGTTTGACACAAACACTGTT 8590.98 8591.04  93   2 MSTN_H2_169-181_213-225 TGCCTGGGTTCATCTTGTACCGTCTT 8556.93 8556.73  94   3 MSTN_HM2_169-181_341-353 TGGGAAGGTTACACTTGTACCGTCTT 8638.98 8638.93  95   4 MSTN_HM2_169-181_353-365 TTCTCCTGGTCCTCTTGTACCGTCTT 8467.90 8467.22  96   5 MSTN_H2_12-24_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTCATCCACTTGCAT 8480.95 8480.44  97   6 MSTN_H2_42-54_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTTAAATTTAAAGAA 8601.01 8600.99  98   7 MSTN_HM2_52-64_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTATTTTAGAGCTAA 8583.99 8583.56  99   8 MSTN_HM2_169-181_201-213 TGTCAAGTTTCAGCTTGTACCGTCTT 8564.94 8564.73 100   9 MSTN_H2_22-34_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTTTGGGTTTTCCAT 8557.95 8557.82 101  10 MSTN_HM2_128-140_347-359 TGGTCCTGGGAAGCACAAACACTGTT 8641.99 8641.67 102  11 MSTN_H2_2-14_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATCA 8665.01 8665.04 103  12 MSTN_H2_32-44_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTGAAGCAACATTTG 8593.99 8593.64 104  13 MSTN_H2_12-24_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGCATCCACTTGCAT 8583.96 8583.74 105  14 MSTN_HM2_177-189_331-343 ACAGCAAGATCATCAGTATACCTTGT 8584.98 8584.99 106  15 MSTN_HM2_177-189_351-363 CTCCTGGTCCTGGCAGTATACCTTGT 8550.94 8550.82 107  16 MSTN_H2_2-14_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTCATTAGAAAATCA 8561.99 8561.39 108  17 MSTN_H2_72-84_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTTTACTACTTTATT 8500.94 8500.36 109  18 MSTN_HM2_177-189_341-353 TGGGAAGGTTACACAGTATACCTTGT 8672.00 8672.41 110  19 MSTN_H2_62-74_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTATTGTATTGTATT 8580.97 8580.58 111  20 MSTN_H2_82-94_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTAGTTGGGCCTTTA 8591.97 8591.99 112  21 MSTN_H2_2-14_119-131 TGTTGTAGGAGTCCATTAGAAAATCA 8680.01 8681.03 113  22 MSTN_H2_2-14_122-134 CACTGTTGTAGGACATTAGAAAATCA 8649.01 8649.13 114  23 MSTN_H2_92-104_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTATATATCCATAGT 8543.97 8544.20 115  24 MSTN_H2_102-114_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTCGGGTCTCAAATA 8569.98 8570.28 116  25 MSTN_H2_7-19_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGACTTGCATTAGAA 8672.00 8671.90 117  26 MSTN_H2_2-14_113-125 AGGAGTCTCGACGCATTAGAAAATCA 8659.02 8659.54 118  27 MSTN_H2_2-14_125-137 AAACACTGTTGTACATTAGAAAATCA 8617.01 8617.59 119  28 MSTN_H2_112-124_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTGGAGTCTCGACGG 8626.99 8627.55 120  29 MSTN_H2_32-44_178-190 CCAGTATACCTTGGAAGCAACATTTG 8600.98 8599.85 121  30 MSTN_H2_32-44_193-205 TTCAGAGATCGGAGAAGCAACATTTG 8690.02 8689.34 122  31 MSTN_H2_32-44_347-359 TGGTCCTGGGAAGGAAGCAACATTTG 8722.02 8722.45 123  32 MSTN_HM2_193-205_347-359 TGGTCCTGGGAAGTTCAGAGATCGGA 8738.02 8737.65 124  33 MSTN_H2_2-14_347-359 TGGTCCTGGGAAGCATTAGAAAATCA 8690.02 8689.78 125  34 MSTN_H2_32-44_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGGAAGCAACATTTG 8697.01 8696.54 126  35 MSTN_H2_116-128_178-190 CCAGTATACCTTGTGTAGGAGTCTCG 8623.97 8623.93 127  36 MSTN_H2_4-16_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGTGCATTAGAAAAT 8696.01 8695.71 128  37 MSTN_H2_9-21_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGCCACTTGCATTAG 8623.97 8623.22 129  38 MSTN_H2_-4-9_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGGAAAATCAGCTAT 8681.01 8681.53 130  39 MSTN_H2_-2-11_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGTAGAAAATCAGCT 8681.01 8681.66 131  40 MSTN_H2_2-14_32-44 GAAGCAACATTTGCATTAGAAAATCA 8642.02 8642.96 132  41 MSTN_H2_2-14_178-190 CCAGTATACCTTGCATTAGAAAATCA 8568.98 8569.60 133  42 MSTN_H2_3-14_117-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCCATTAGAAAATC 7970.77 7971.87 134  43 MSTN_H2_2-14_193-205 TTCAGAGATCGGACATTAGAAAATCA 8658.02 8657.79 135  44 MSTN_H2_116-128_347-359 TGGTCCTGGGAAGTGTAGGAGTCTCG 8745.01 8744.89 136  45 MSTN_H2_116-128_193-205 TTCAGAGATCGGATGTAGGAGTCTCG 8713.01 8713.65 137  46 MSTN_H2_2-13_116-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGATTAGAAAATCA 8019.79 8019.95 138  47 MSTN_H2_2-13_117-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCATTAGAAAATCA 7994.78 7994.91 139  48 MSTN_H2_3-14_116-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATC 7995.78 7995.99 140  49 MSTN_H2_2-14_102-114 CGGGTCTCAAATACATTAGAAAATCA 8618.01 8618.54 141  50 MSTN_H2_2-14_106-118 TCGACGGGTCTCACATTAGAAAATCA 8609.99 8610.74 142  51 MSTN_H2_2-14_110-122 AGTCTCGACGGGTCATTAGAAAATCA 8650.01 8650.84 143  52 MSTN_H2_106-118_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTTCGACGGGTCTCA 8561.97 8562.71 144  53 MSTN_H2_109-121_128-140 CACAAACACTGTTGTCTCGACGGGTC 8577.97 8578.09 145  54 MSTN_H2_-1-12_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGTTAGAAAATCAGC 8681.01 8681.08 146  55 MSTN_H2_1-13_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGATTAGAAAATCAG 8705.02 8704.93 147  56 MSTN_H2_1-14_116-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATCAG 8690.02 8690.13 148  57 MSTN_H2_-1-14_116-126 TAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATCAGC 8650.01 8649.42 149  58 MSTN_H2_2-14_117-129 TTGTAGGAGTCTCCATTAGAAAATCA 8640.00 8639.61 150  59 MSTN_H2_2-14_118-130 GTTGTAGGAGTCTCATTAGAAAATCA 8680.01 8679.96 151  60 MSTN_H2_3-15_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGGCATTAGAAAATC 8681.01 8680.78 152  61 MSTN_H2_2-14_114-126 TAGGAGTCTCGACCATTAGAAAATCA 8634.01 8633.96 153  62 MSTN_H2_2-14_115-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGACATTAGAAAATCA 8674.02 8673.75 154  63 MSTN_H2_3-15_115-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGAGCATTAGAAAATC 8690.02 8689.33 155  64 MSTN_H2_3-15_117-129 TTGTAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATC 8656.00 8655.37 156  65 MSTN_H2_116-128_213-225 TGCCTGGGTTCATTGTAGGAGTCTCG 8670.98 8670.44 157  66 MSTN_H2_116-128_268-280 TGTTTGAGCCAATTGTAGGAGTCTCG 8678.99 8679.10 158  67 MSTN_H2_1-13_115-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGAATTAGAAAATCAG 8714.03 8714.18 159  68 MSTN_H2_1-13_117-129 TTGTAGGAGTCTCATTAGAAAATCAG 8680.01 8679.50 160  69 MSTN_H2_2-13_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGATTAGAAAATCA 8349.90 8349.01 161  70 MSTN_H2_3-14_116-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATC 8325.89 8324.88 162  71 MSTN_H2_2-14_116-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATCA 8334.90 8333.29 163  72 MSTN_H2_2-14_117-128 TGTAGGAGTCTCCATTAGAAAATCA 8309.89 8310.03 164  73 MSTN_H2_117-128_192-203 CAGAGATCGGATTGTAGGAGTCTC 8027.78 8027.24 165  74 MSTN_H2_117-128_193-204 TCAGAGATCGGATGTAGGAGTCTC 8027.78 8027.42 166  75 MSTN_H2_117-128_194-205 TTCAGAGATCGGTGTAGGAGTCTC 8018.77 8018.26 167  76 MSTN_H2_114-126_194-205 TTCAGAGATCGGTAGGAGTCTCGAC 8342.89 8342.62 168  77 MSTN_H2_115-128_192-203 CAGAGATCGGATTGTAGGAGTCTCGA 8722.02 8722.80 169  78 MSTN_H2_114-126_193-204 TCAGAGATCGGATAGGAGTCTCGAC 8351.90 8352.40 170  79 MSTN_H2_117-128_192-205 TTCAGAGATCGGATTGTAGGAGTCTC 8688.00 8687.62 171  80 MSTN_H2_3-14_116-125 AGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATC 7310.55 7310.13 172  81 MSTN_H2_3-15_115-125 AGGAGTCTCGAGCATTAGAAAATC 8004.79 8004.56 173  82 MSTN_H2_-1-11_116-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGTAGAAAATCAGC 8020.79 8020.35 174  83 MSTN_H2_-1-12_115-125 AGGAGTCTCGATTAGAAAATCAGC 8004.79 8005.06 175  84 MSTN_H2_3-15_116-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGGCATTAGAAAATC 8350.90 8351.16 176  85 MSTN_H2_-1-12_116-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGTTAGAAAATCAGC 8350.90 8350.46 177  86 MSTN_H2_117-125_211-225 TGCCTGGGTTCATGTAGGAGTCTC 7985.75 7986.39 178  87 MSTN_H2_117-127_216-228 CAGTGCCTGGGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 8010.76 8011.08 179  88 MSTN_H2_2-14_116-126 TAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATCA 7979.78 7979.75 180  89 MSTN_H2_-1-12_116-126 TAGGAGTCTCGTTAGAAAATCAGC 7995.78 7996.47 181  90 MSTN_H2_-1-14_116-126(-5A) TAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAATCAGC 8310.89 8311.25 182  91 MSTN_H2_117-127_344-358 GGTCCTGGGAAGGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 8745.01 8745.96 183  92 MSTN_H2_4-14_116-126 TAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAAT 7325.55 7325.56 184  93 MSTN_H2_3-14_116-126 TAGGAGTCTCGCATTAGAAAATC 7640.66 7640.90 185  94 MSTN_H2_3-15_116-126 TAGGAGTCTCGGCATTAGAAAATC 7995.78 7996.39 186  95 MSTN_H2_117-127_344-356 TCCTGGGAAGGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 8034.77 8035.29 187  96 MSTN_H2_114-125_194-205 TTCAGAGATCGGAGGAGTCTCGAC 8012.78 8012.48 188  97 MSTN_H2_114-125_129-140 CACAAACACTGTAGGAGTCTCGAC 7925.76 7925.65 189  98 MSTN_H2_115-126_129-140 CACAAACACTGTTAGGAGTCTCGA 7940.76 7940.82 190  99 MSTN_H2_117-126_129-140 CACAAACACTGTTAGGAGTCTC 7246.52 7246.96 191 100 MSTN_H2_117-127_130-140 CACAAACACTGGTAGGAGTCTC 7271.53 7272.21 192 101 MSTN_H2_117-127_129-140 CACAAACACTGTGTAGGAGTCTC 7601.64 7602.24 193 102 MSTN_H2_117-127_192-202 AGAGATCGGATGTAGGAGTCTC 7382.56 7382.52 194 103 MSTN_H2_117-127_195-205 TTCAGAGATCGGTAGGAGTCTC 7333.54 7333.88 195 104 MSTN_H2_117-128_213-225 TGCCTGGGTTCATTGTAGGAGTCTC 8315.86 8316.77 196 105 MSTN_H2_114-125_213-225 TGCCTGGGTTCATAGGAGTCTCGAC 8309.86 8310.88 197 106 MSTN_H2_114-125_345-356 TCCTGGGAAGGTAGGAGTCTCGAC 8028.78 8028.48 198 107 MSTN_H2_117-128_348-359 TGGTCCTGGGAATGTAGGAGTCTC 8034.77 8034.02 199 108 MSTN_H2_114-125_211-222 CTGGGTTCATGTAGGAGTCTCGAC 7994.76 7995.78 200 109 MSTN_H2_117-128_211-222 CTGGGTTCATGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 8000.75 7999.95 201 110 MSTN_H2_115-125_129-140 CACAAACACTGTAGGAGTCTCGA 7610.65 7609.85 202 111 MSTN_H2_117-125_129-140 CACAAACACTGTAGGAGTCTC 6916.41 6916.94 203 112 MSTN_H2_117-128_193-205 TTCAGAGATCGGATGTAGGAGTCTC 8357.89 8357.86 204 113 MSTN_H2-1-10_15-26 TCCATCCACTTGAGAAAATCAGC 7545.63 7545.89 205 114 MSTN_H2_117-128_213-223 CCTGGGTTCATTGTAGGAGTCTC 7630.63 7631.02 206 115 MSTN_H2_119-125_211-225 TGCCTGGGTTCATGTAGGAGTC 7340.53 7341.36 207 116 MSTN_H2_117-125_211-223 CCTGGGTTCATGTAGGAGTCTC 7300.52 7301.46 208 117 MSTN_H2_-1-10_115-125 AGGAGTCTCGAAGAAAATCAGC 7344.57 7346.16 209 118 MSTN_H2_-1-10_116-126 TAGGAGTCTCGAGAAAATCAGC 7335.56 7336.62 210 119 MSTN_H2_3-13_116-126 TAGGAGTCTCGATTAGAAAATC 7325.55 7326.53 211 120 MSTN_H2_117-128_210-221 TGGGTTCATGTCTGTAGGAGTCTC 8000.75 8000.51 212 121 MSTN_H2_117-128_212-223 CCTGGGTTCATGTGTAGGAGTCTC 7985.75 7985.16 213 122 MSTN_H2_117-128_211-221 TGGGTTCATGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 7685.64 7685.86 214 123 MSTN_H2_118-128_211-222 CTGGGTTCATGTTGTAGGAGTCT 7685.64 7686.62 215 124 MSTN_H2_117-128_212-222 CTGGGTTCATGTGTAGGAGTCTC 7670.64 7670.94 216 125 MSTN_H2_117-128_192-204 TCAGAGATCGGATTGTAGGAGTCTC 8357.89 8358.93 217 126 MSTN_H2_117-128_213-222 CTGGGTTCATTGTAGGAGTCTC 7315.52 7316.24 218 127 MSTN_H2_117-129_213-222 CTGGGTTCATTTGTAGGAGTCTC 7645.63 7646.63 219 128 MSTN_H2_117-126_211-222 CTGGGTTCATGTTAGGAGTCTC 7315.52 7316.36 220 129 MSTN_H2_114-125_210-221 TGGGTTCATGTCAGGAGTCTCGAC 7994.76 7994.90 221 130 MSTN_H2_117-128_191-202 AGAGATCGGATTTGTAGGAGTCTC 8042.78 8043.31 222 131 MSTN_HM2_118-127_130-140 CACAAACACTGGTAGGAGTCT 6956.43 6956.19 223 132 MSTN_H2_117-127_130-139 ACAAACACTGGTAGGAGTCTC 6956.43 6956.76 224 133 MSTN_H2_114-125_212-223 CCTGGGTTCATGAGGAGTCTCGAC 7979.75 7979.45 225 134 MSTN_H2_118-128_213-223 CCTGGGTTCATTGTAGGAGTCT 7315.52 7315.38 226 135 MSTN_H2_118-128_213-222 CTGGGTTCATTGTAGGAGTCT 7000.41 7000.35 227 136 MSTN_H2_119-128_213-223 CCTGGGTTCATTGTAGGAGTC 6985.41 6984.76 228 137 MSTN_H2_117-126_213-223 CCTGGGTTCATTAGGAGTCTC 6945.40 6945.37 229 138 MSTN_H2_117-125_211-222 CTGGGTTCATGTAGGAGTCTC 6985.41 6985.57 230 139 MSTN_H2_117-127_214-223 CCTGGGTTCAGTAGGAGTCTC 6970.41 6969.84 231 140 MSTN_H2_117-128_131-140 CACAAACACTTGTAGGAGTCTC 7246.52 7246.02 232 141 MSTN_H2_115-125_130-140 CACAAACACTGAGGAGTCTCGA 7280.54 7280.06 233 142 MSTN_HM2_119-129_194-206 TTTCAGAGATCGGTTGTAGGAGTC 8033.77 8033.86 234 143 MSTN_HM2_118-129_193-204 TCAGAGATCGGATTGTAGGAGTCT 8042.78 8043.06 235 144 MSTN_H2_114-124_130-140 CACAAACACTGGGAGTCTCGAC 7256.53 7256.65 236 145 MSTN_H2_114-125_211-221 TGGGTTCATGTAGGAGTCTCGAC 7679.65 7679.17 237 146 MSTN_H2_114-126_213-222 CTGGGTTCATTAGGAGTCTCGAC 7639.64 7640.01 238 147 MSTN_H2_117-128_195-206 TTTCAGAGATCGTGTAGGAGTCTC 7993.76 7994.63 239 148 MSTN_H2_117-128_211-223 CCTGGGTTCATGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 8315.86 8316.07 240 149 MSTN_H2_117-126_213-222 CTGGGTTCATTAGGAGTCTC 6630.29 6631.27 241 150 MSTN_HM2_119-129_193-205 TTCAGAGATCGGATTGTAGGAGTC 8042.78 8043.75 242 151 MSTN_H2_118-127_214-223 CCTGGGTTCAGTAGGAGTCT 6655.30 6654.87 243 152 MSTN_H2_117-126_214-223 CCTGGGTTCATAGGAGTCTC 6615.29 6615.00 244 153 MSTN_H2_117-127_215-223 CCTGGGTTCGTAGGAGTCTC 6631.29 6631.07 245 154 MSTN_H2_114-124_214-223 CCTGGGTTCAGGAGTCTCGAC 6955.40 6955.05 246 155 MSTN_H2_115-125_214-223 CCTGGGTTCAAGGAGTCTCGA 6979.42 6979.46 247 156 MSTN_H2_118-128_214-223 CCTGGGTTCATGTAGGAGTCT 6985.41 6985.70 248 157 MSTN_HM2_118-129_192-203 CAGAGATCGGATTTGTAGGAGTCT 8042.78 8042.98 249 158 MSTN_HM2_118-129_194-205 TTCAGAGATCGGTTGTAGGAGTCT 8033.77 8033.36 250 159 MSTN_HM2_119-129_192-204 TCAGAGATCGGATTTGTAGGAGTC 8042.78 8043.12 251 160 MSTN_H2_117-129_213-223 CCTGGGTTCATTTGTAGGAGTCTC 7960.74 7960.09 252 161 MSTN_H2_117-127_188-198 ATCGGATTCCAGTAGGAGTCTC 7293.53 7294.09 253 162 MSTN_H2_117-127_198-208 AGTTTCAGAGAGTAGGAGTCTC 7357.55 7357.72 254 163 MSTN_H2_114-123_213-223 CCTGGGTTCATGAGTCTCGAC 6930.39 6930.41 255 164 MSTN_H2_119-129_213-222 CTGGGTTCATTTGTAGGAGTC 7000.41 7000.29 256 165 MSTN_HM2_119-129_191-203 CAGAGATCGGATTTTGTAGGAGTC 8042.78 8042.56 257 166 MSTN_H2_117-127_131-141 GCACAAACACTGTAGGAGTCTC 7271.53 7271.82 258 167 MSTN_H2_117-127_132-142 TGCACAAACACGTAGGAGTCTC 7271.53 7271.85 259 168 MSTN_H2_129-140_214-223 CCTGGGTTCACACAAACACTGT 7222.51 7222.91 260 169 MSTN_H2_129-140_212-223 CCTGGGTTCATGCACAAACACTGT 7907.74 7907.65 261 170 MSTN_HM2_129-140_192-203 CAGAGATCGGATCACAAACACTGT 7949.77 7949.90 262 171 MSTN_HM2_129-140_193-204 TCAGAGATCGGACACAAACACTGT 7949.77 7950.17 263 172 MSTN_H2_114-124_195-205 TTCAGAGATCGGGAGTCTCGAC 7318.54 7317.96 264 173 MSTN_H2_114-123_214-223 CCTGGGTTCAGAGTCTCGAC 6600.28 6600.76 265 174 MSTN_H2_117-127_180-190 CCAGTATACCTGTAGGAGTCTC 7253.51 7253.54 266 175 MSTN_H2_117-127_182-192 TTCCAGTATACGTAGGAGTCTC 7268.52 7268.89 267 176 MSTN_H2_193-204_212-223 CCTGGGTTCATGTCAGAGATCGGA 8003.77 8003.32 268 177 MSTN_H2_191-202_212-223 CCTGGGTTCATGAGAGATCGGATT 8018.77 8018.85 269 178 MSTN_H2_117-127_196-206 TTTCAGAGATCGTAGGAGTCTC 7308.53 7308.94 270 179 MSTN_H2_114-124_128-138 CAAACACTGTTGGAGTCTCGAC 7262.52 7262.78 271 180 MSTN_H2_114-124_129-139 ACAAACACTGTGGAGTCTCGAC 7271.53 7271.50 272 181 MSTN_H2_117-126_215-223 CCTGGGTTCTAGGAGTCTC 6276.17 6276.10 273 182 MSTN_H2_118-127_215-223 CCTGGGTTCGTAGGAGTCT 6316.18 6316.00 274 183 MSTN_H2_117-125_215-223 CCTGGGTTCAGGAGTCTC 5946.06 5946.39 275 184 MSTN_H2_118-126_215-223 CCTGGGTTCTAGGAGTCT 5961.06 5960.99 276 185 MSTN_H2_117-128_281-292 TTGGATTCAGGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 8024.76 8024.64 277 186 MSTN_H2_117-128_284-295 AAGTTGGATTCATGTAGGAGTCTC 8017.77 8017.74 278 187 MSTN_H2_117-128_139-150 TCAGGATTTGCATGTAGGAGTCTC 7993.76 7994.08 279 188 MSTN_H2_117-128_141-152 TCTCAGGATTTGTGTAGGAGTCTC 7984.75 7984.49 280 189 MSTN_H2_117-127_190-200 AGATCGGATTCGTAGGAGTCTC 7333.54 7333.23 281 190 MSTN_H2_117-127_193-203 CAGAGATCGGAGTAGGAGTCTC 7367.56 7368.05 282 191 MSTN_H2_117-127_194-204 TCAGAGATCGGGTAGGAGTCTC 7358.55 7358.58 283 192 MSTN_H2_179-190_212-223 CCTGGGTTCATGCCAGTATACCTT 7889.72 7889.74 284 193 MSTN_H2_181-192_212-223 CCTGGGTTCATGTTCCAGTATACC 7889.72 7890.21 285 194 MSTN_H2_212-223_267-278 TTTGAGCCAATTCCTGGGTTCATG 7944.74 7945.28 286 195 MSTN_H2_212-223_269-280 TGTTTGAGCCAACCTGGGTTCATG 7969.75 7969.96 287 196 MSTN_H2_212-223_345-356 TCCTGGGAAGGTCCTGGGTTCATG 8010.76 8010.35 288 197 MSTN_H2_212-223_348-359 TGGTCCTGGGAACCTGGGTTCATG 8010.76 289 198 MSTN_H2_117-126_196-205 TTCAGAGATCTAGGAGTCTC 6623.30 6622.99 371 199 MSTN_H2_117-126_195-204 TCAGAGATCGTAGGAGTCTC 6648.31 6648.32 372 200 MSTN_H2_117-126_194-203 CAGAGATCGGTAGGAGTCTC 6673.32 6673.28 373 201 MSTN_HM2_118-128_196-206 TTTCAGAGATCTGTAGGAGTCT 7323.53 7323.56 374 202 MSTN_HM2_118-128_195-205 TTCAGAGATCGTGTAGGAGTCT 7348.54 7348.26 375 203 MSTN_H2_114-124_196-206 TTTCAGAGATCGGAGTCTCGAC 7293.53 7293.71 376 204 MSTN_H2_117-128_195-204 TCAGAGATCGTGTAGGAGTCTC 7333.54 7333.02 377

TABLE 2 Molecular Molecular PMO weight weight SEQ No. Sequence name Nucleotide sequence (5′>3′) (calculated) (measured) ID NO: 205 MSTN_H2_21-45 AGAAGCAACATTTGGGTTTTCCATC 8276.87 8276.83  1 206 MSTN_H2_96-120 TCTCGACGGGTCTCAAATATATCCA 8221.85 8221.83  2 207 MSTN_H2_116-140 CACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCG 8286.87 8286.48  3 208 MSTN_HM2_331-355 CCTGGGAAGGTTACAGCAAGATCAT 8335.90 8336.04  4 209 MSTN_H2_96-115 ACGGGTCTCAAATATATCCA 6576.30 6575.60  5 210 MSTN_H2_101-120 TCTCGACGGGTCTCAAATAT 6583.29 6583.07  6 211 MSTN_HM2_171-195 GGATTCCAGTATACCTTGTACCGTC 8228.84 8228.81  7 212 MSTN_HM2_166-190 CCAGTATACCTTGTACCGTCTTTCA 8163.82 8164.84  8 213 MSTN_HM2_336-360 CTGGTCCTGGGAAGGTTACAGCAAG 8367.90 8367.65  9 214 MSTN_HM2_341-365 TTCTCCTGGTCCTGGGAAGGTTACA 8284.85 8284.11 10 215 MSTN_HM2_136-160 TTGATGAGTCTCAGGATTTGCACAA 8316.88 8316.35 11 216 MSTN_H2_151-175 CCGTCTTTCATAGGTTTGATGAGTC 8274.85 8274.80 12 217 MSTN_H2_1-25 CCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAG 8214.86 8215.09 13 218 MSTN_HM2_346-370 CCATCTTCTCCTGGTCCTGGGAAGG 8245.84 8245.09 14 219 MSTN_H2_141-165 TAGGTTTGATGAGTCTCAGGATTTG 8378.88 8378.39 15 220 MSTN_H2_106-130 GTTGTAGGAGTCTCGACGGGTCTCA 8349.88 8349.83 16 221 MSTN_H2_106-125 AGGAGTCTCGACGGGTCTCA 6649.31 6649.01 17 222 MSTN_H2_116-135 ACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCG 6639.30 6639.41 18 223 MSTN_H2_98-117 CGACGGGTCTCAAATATATC 6592.30 6592.25 19 224 MSTN_H2_103-122 AGTCTCGACGGGTCTCAAAT 6608.30 6607.83 20 225 MSTN_H2_113-132 CTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCGACG 6655.30 6655.45 21 226 MSTN_H2_23-42 AGCAACATTTGGGTTTTCCA 6598.29 6598.57 22 227 MSTN_H2_116-137 AAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCG 7317.54 7317.18 23 228 MSTN_HM2_121-145 ATTTGCACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAG 8325.89 8324.98 24 229 MSTN_HM2_121-140 CACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAG 6641.32 6641.73 25 230 MSTN_H2_111-135 ACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCGACGGG 8358.89 8358.77 26 231 MSTN_H2_111-130 GTTGTAGGAGTCTCGACGGG 6720.32 6720.08 27 232 MSTN_HM2_119-140 CACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTC 7286.54 7286.24 28 233 MSTN_H2_21-40 CAACATTTGGGTTTTCCATC 6549.27 6548.67 29 234 MSTN_H2_26-45 AGAAGCAACATTTGGGTTTT 6662.31 6662.77 30 235 MSTN_H2_-10-15 GCATTAGAAAATCAGCTATAAATGA 8326.91 8326.50 31 236 MSTN_H2_11-35 TTTGGGTTTTCCATCCACTTGCATT 8200.81 8200.79 32 237 MSTN_H2_6-30 GTTTTCCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAA 8211.84 8211.40 33 238 MSTN_H2_-5-20 CACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAGCTATA 8253.88 8253.71 34 239 MSTN_H2_101-125 AGGAGTCTCGACGGGTCTCAAATAT 8326.89 8326.20 35 240 MSTN_H2_112-136 AACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCGACGG 8342.89 8343.14 36 241 MSTN_H2_113-137 AAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCGACG 8326.89 8327.41 37 242 MSTN_H2_115-139 ACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCGA 8310.89 8310.85 38 243 MSTN_H2_114-138 CAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCGAC 8286.87 8286.68 39 244 MSTN_H2_117-141 GCACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 8286.87 8287.41 40 245 MSTN_HM2_118-142 TGCACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCT 8301.88 8301.26 41 246 MSTN_HM2_119-143 TTGCACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTC 8301.88 8301.89 42 247 MSTN_HM2_120-144 TTTGCACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGT 8316.88 8316.69 43 248 MSTN_H2_91-115 ACGGGTCTCAAATATATCCATAGTT 8260.87 8260,78 44 249 MSTN_H2_-3-22 TCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAGCTA 8229.86 8229.36 45 250 MSTN_HM2_191-215 CATGTCAAGTTTCAGAGATCGGATT 8316.88 8317.25 46 251 MSTN_H2_201-225 TGCCTGGGTTCATGTCAAGTTTCAG 8299.86 8299.68 47 252 MSTN_H2_211-235 CAAATACCAGTGCCTGGGTTCATGT 8277.86 8277.30 48 253 MSTN_H2_54-78 CTTTATTGTATTGTATTTTAGAGCT 8278.84 8278.45 49 254 MSTN_H2_-4-21 CCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAGCTAT 8229.86 8229.68 50 255 MSTN_H2_-2-23 ATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAGCT 8229.86 8229.37 51 256 MSTN_H2_-1-24 CATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAGC 8214.86 8214.95 52 257 MSTN_H2_5-29 TTTTCCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAA 8195.84 8194.80 53 258 MSTN_H2_2-26 TCCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCA 8189.85 8189.90 54 259 MSTN_H2_3-27 TTCCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATC 8180.84 8181.54 55 260 MSTN_H2_4-28 TTTCCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAAT 8195.84 8196.94 56 261 MSTN_H2_-7-18 CTTGCATTAGAAAATCAGCTATAAA 8277.89 8278.60 57 262 MSTN_H2_8-32 GGGYTTTCCATCCACTTGCATTAGA 8243.84 8244.65 58 263 MSTN_H2_117-138 CAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 7277.53 7277.87 59 264 MSTN_HM2_118-139 ACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCT 7301.54 7302.04 60 265 MSTN_H2_1-21 CCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAG 6915.42 6915.68 61 266 MSTN_H2_9-29 TTTTCCATCCACTTGCATTAG 6839.36 6840.60 62 267 MSTN_H2_7-31 GGTTTTCCATCCACTTGCATTAGAA 8227.84 8226.95 63 268 MSTN_H2_5-25 CCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAA 6875.40 6875.44 64 269 MSTN_H2_7-29 TTTTCCATCCACTTGCATTAGAA 7517.60 7517.22 65 270 MSTN_H2_117-140 CACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 7931.75 7931.52 66 271 MSTN_HM2_118-140 CACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCT 7616.65 7616.24 67 272 MSTN_H2_1-23 ATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAG 7584.65 7584.03 68 273 MSTN_H2_3-25 CCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATC 7520.62 7520.93 69 274 MSTN_H2_5-27 TTCCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAA 7535.62 7536.03 70 275 MSTN_H2_93-117 CGACGGGTCTCAAATATATCCATAG 8270.87 8270.98 71 276 MSTN_H2_98-122 AGTCTCGACGGGTCTCAAATATATC 8261.86 8262.37 72 277 MSTN_H2_103-127 GTAGGAGTCTCGACGGGTCTCAAAT 8342.89 8343.04 73 278 MSTN_H2_108-132 CTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCGACGGGTCT 8340.87 8340.17 74 279 MSTN_H2_-1-25 CCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAGC 8529.97 8530.68 75 280 MSTN_H2_1-26 TCCATCCACTTGCATTAGAAAATCAG 8544.97 8545.57 76 281 MSTN_H2_116-139 ACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTCG 7971.77 7971.34 77 282 MSTN_HM2_120-141 GCACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGT 7326.55 7326.14 78 283 MSTN_HM2_119-141 GCACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTC 7641.66 7641.12 79 284 MSTN_HM2_118-141 GCACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCT 7971.77 7971.23 80 285 MSTN_H2_117-139 ACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTC 7616.65 7616.99 81 286 MSTN_HM2_120-140 CACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGT 6971.43 6971.71 82 287 MSTN_H2_117-129 TTGTAGGAGTCTC 4290.49 4290.46 83 288 MSTN_H2_214-223 CCTGGGTTCA 3251.14 3251.29 84 289 MSTN_HM2_130-140 CACAAACACTG 3552.27 3552.07 85 290 MSTN_H2_117-127 GTAGGAGTCTC 3630.27 3630.01 86 291 MSTN_H2 117-128 TGTAGGAGTCTC 3960.38 3960.15 87 292 MSTN_H2_213-223 CCTGGGTTCAT 3581.25 3581.03 88 293 MSTN_HM2_193-205 TTCAGAGATCGGA 4308.51 4308.49 89

TABLE 3 Molecular Molecular PMO weight weight SEQ No. Sequence name Nucleotide sequence (5′>3′) (calculated) (measured) ID NO: 294 MSTN_M2_1-25 CCATCCGCTTGCATTAGAAAGTCAG 8246.86 8246.02  90 295 MSTN_M2_116-140 CACAAACACTGTTGTAGGAGTCTTG 8301.88 8302.03  91 296 MSTN_M2_21-45 AAAAGCAACATTTGGGCTTGCCATC 8270.87 8270.72  92 297 MSTN_M2_117-127_214-223 CCTGGGCTCAGTAGGAGTCTT 6970.41 6969.99 290 298 MSTN_M2_117-128_211-223 CCTGGGCTCATGTTGTAGGAGTCTT 8315.86 8315.79 291 299 MSTN_M2_1-14_116-127 GTAGGAGTCTTGCATTAGAAAGTCAG 8721.02 8721.53 292 300 MSTN_M2_117-129_213-223 CCTGGGCTCATTTGTAGGAGTCTT 7960.74 7960.75 293 301 MSTN_M2_114-125_212-223 CCTGGGCTCATGAGGAGTCTTGAC 7979.75 7979.86 294 302 MSTN_M2_117-127_130-140 CACAAACACTGGTAGGAGTCTT 7286.54 7286.69 295 303 MSTN_HM2_169-181_348-360 CTGGTCCTGGGAACTTGTACCGTCTT 8590.95 8591.36 296 304 MSTN_M2_117-128_213-223 CCTGGGCTCATTGTAGGAGTCTT 7630.63 7630.35 297 305 MSTN_M2_117-125_211-223 CCTGGGCTCATGTAGGAGTCTT 7300.52 7300.50 298 306 MSTN_M2_117-127_215-223 CCTGGGCTCGTAGGAGTCTT 6631.29 6631.39 299 307 MSTN_M2_118-128_213-223 CCTGGGCTCATTGTAGGAGTCT 7300.52 7300.55 300 308 MSTN_M2_117-128_214-225 TGCCTGGGCTCATGTAGGAGTCTT 7985.75 7985.85 301 309 MSTN_M2_117-128_271-282 GCTGTTTGAGCCTGTAGGAGTCTT 8000.75 8000.54 302 310 MSTN_M2_117-128_212-223 CCTGGGCTCATGTGTAGGAGTCTT 7985.75 7986.02 303 311 MSTN_M2_117-128_160-171 CTTTCATGGGTTTGTAGGAGTCTT 7990.74 7990.86 304 312 MSTN_M2_118-129_211-223 CCTGGGCTCATGTTTGTAGGAGTCT 8315.86 8316.08 305 313 MSTN_M2_117-128_212-224 GCCTGGGCTCATGTGTAGGAGTCTT 8340.87 8341.12 306 314 MSTN_M2_117-128_210-222 CTGGGCTCATGTCTGTAGGAGTCTT 8315.86 8316.11 307 315 MSTN_M2_116-127_211-223 CCTGGGCTCATGTGTAGGAGTCTTG 8340.87 8341.16 308 316 MSTN_HM2_118-128_180-191 TCCAGTATACCTTGTAGGAGTCT 7598.63 7598.40 309 317 MSTN_M2_117-128_156-167 CATGGGTTTGATTGTAGGAGTCTT 8039.76 310 318 MSTN_M2_117-128_278-289 GATTCAGGCTGTTGTAGGAGTCTT 8024.76 8026.40 311 319 MSTN_HM2_164-176_353-365 TTCTCCTGGTCCTACCGTCTTTCATG 8476.91 8477.91 312 320 MSTN_HM2_173-185_353-365 TTCTCCTGGTCCTATACCTTGTACCG 8485.92 313 321 MSTN_M2_90-102_117-128 TGTAGGAGTCTTATATCCACAGTTG 8307.87 8308.09 314 322 MSTN_HM2_119-130_192-203 CAGAGATCGGATGTTGTAGGAGTC 8067.79 8067.22 315 323 MSTN_HM2_118-129_191-202 AGAGATCGGATTTTGTAGGAGTCT 8057.78 8058.06 316 324 MSTN_M2_117-127_194-206 TTTCAGAGATCGGGTAGGAGTCTT 8033.77 8033.56 317 325 MSTN_HM2_118-128_194-206 TTTCAGAGATCGGTGTAGGAGTCT 8033.77 8033.04 318 326 MSTN_HM2_120-130_194-206 TTTCAGAGATCGGGTTGTAGGAGT 8073.78 8074.04 319 327 MSTN_HM2_119-129_190-202 AGAGATCGGATTCTTGTAGGAGTC 8042.78 8042.38 320 328 MSTN_M2_117-128_182-193 ATTCCAGTATACTGTAGGAGTCTT 7952.75 7952.88 321 329 MSTN_M2_117-128_180-191 TCCAGTATACCTTGTAGGAGTCTT 7928.74 7929.27 322 330 MSTN_M2_117-128_192-205 TTCAGAGATCGGATTGTAGGAGTCTT 8703.00 8703.29 367 331 MSTN_HM2_169-181_358-370 CCATCTTCTCCTGCTTGTACCGTCTT 8436.90 8437.03 368 332 MSTN_M2_93-105_117-128 TGTAGGAGTCTTGATATATCCACAG 8316.88 8316.77 369 333 MSTN_M2_117-128_192-203 CAGAGATCGGATTGTAGGAGTCTT 8042.78 8043.05 370

Example 1

4-{[(2S,6R)-6-(5-Methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid loaded on aminopolystyrene resin (Reference Example 1) or 4-{[(2S,6R)-6-(4-benzamido-2-oxopyrimidin-1-yl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid loaded on aminopolystyrene resin (Reference Example 2) or 4-{[(2S,6R)-6-(6-benzamidopurin-9-yl)-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl]methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid loaded on aminopolystyrene resin (Reference Example 3) or 4-{{(2S,6R)-6-6-(2-cyanoethoxy)-2-[(2-phenoxyacetyl)amino]purin-9-yl}-4-tritylmorpholin-2-yl)methoxy}-4-oxobutanoic acid loaded on aminopolystyrene resin (Reference Example 4), each corresponding to the 5′-terminal base, was filled in an amount of 0.1 g into a reaction vessel equipped with a filter to initiate the following synthesis cycles using a peptide synthesizer (FOCUS). To give the nucleotide sequence of each compound indicated in Tables 1 to 4, a desired morpholino monomer compound was added in each coupling cycle (see Table 4 below).

TABLE 4 Volume Time Number Step Reagent (mL/run) (min/run) of runs 1 Deblocking solution 1.8 to 3   0.1 to 2  3 to 8 2 Neutralizing solution 2 to 10 1 3 3 Dichloromethane 2 to 10 — 5 4 Activator solution 1.8 to 3   — 1 5 Monomer solution  1 to 1.5 — 1 6 Activator solution 0.9 to 1.4  — 1 7 Coupling reaction with 120 to 180 the reagents charged in Steps 5 and 6 8 Dichloromethane 2 to 10 — 5 9 Capping solution 2 to 3  2 2 10 Dichloromethane 2 to 10 — 5

It should be noted that the deblocking solution used was prepared by dissolving a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid (2 equivalents) and triethylamine (1 equivalent) at a concentration of 3% (w/v) in a dichloromethane solution containing 1% (v/v) ethanol and 10% (v/v) 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. The neutralizing solution used was prepared by dissolving N,N-diisopropylethylamine at a concentration of 5% (v/v) in a dichloromethane solution containing 25% (v/v) 2-propanol. The activator solution used was a 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone solution containing 20% (v/v) N,N-diisopropylethylamine. The monomer solution used was prepared by dissolving a morpholino monomer compound at a concentration of 0.20 M in tetrahydrofuran. The capping solution used was prepared by dissolving acetic anhydride at 10% (v/v) and 2,6-lutidine at 15% (v/v) in dichloromethane.

The aminopolystyrene resin loaded with PMO synthesized as above was collected from the reaction vessel and dried at 30° C. for 2 hours or longer under reduced pressure. The dried PMO loaded on the aminopolystyrene resin was charged into a reaction vessel and 5 mL of 28% aqueous ammonia-ethanol (⅓) was added thereto, followed by standing at 55° C. for 16 hours. The aminopolystyrene resin was separated by filtration and washed with 3 mL of water-acetonitrile (1/1). After the resulting filtrate was mixed with ethanol (3 mL) and diethyl ether (35 mL), the mixture was centrifuged and then decanted to remove the supernatant, and the residue was dried under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was dissolved in 10 mL of a mixed solvent containing 20 mM aqueous ammonium acetate and acetonitrile (4/1), and then purified by reversed-phase HPLC. The conditions used are as indicated in Table 5 below.

TABLE 5 Column XBridge 5 μm C18 (Waters, ϕ 19 × 50 mm, 1 CV = 14 mL) Flow rate 10 mL/minute Column room temperature temperature Solution A 20 mM aqueous ammonium acetate Solution B CH₃CN Gradient (B) conc. 20% → 50%/10 CV CV: column volume

The fractions were each analyzed to collect the desired product. The resulting solution was mixed with 0.1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid (4 mL) and allowed to stand for 2 hours. After the reaction, 1 M aqueous sodium hydroxide (0.4 mL) was added to neutralize the mixture, which was then filtered through a membrane filter (0.22 μm).

The resulting aqueous solution containing the desired product was made alkaline with 1 M aqueous sodium hydroxide (0.4 mL) and purified through an anion exchange resin column. The conditions used are as indicated in Table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Column Source 15Q (GE Healthcare, ϕ16 × 97 mm, 1 CV = 19.5 mL) Flow rate 10 mL/minute Column room temperature temperature Solution A 10 mM aqueous sodium hydroxide Solution B 10 mM aqueous sodium hydroxide, 1M aqueous sodium chloride Gradient (B) conc. 5% → 50%/20 CV

The fractions were each analyzed (by HPLC) to obtain the desired product as an aqueous solution. The resulting aqueous solution was neutralized with 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) and then desalted by reversed-phase HPLC under the conditions shown in Table 7 below.

TABLE 7 Column YMC GEL C4 HG 10 μm (YMC, ϕ10 × 35 mm, 1 CV = 2.7 mL) Flow rate 10 mL/minute Column room temperature temperature Solution A water Solution B CH₃CN Gradient (B) conc. 0% → 50%/10 CV

The desired product was collected and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was dissolved in water and freeze-dried to obtain the desired compound as a white flocculent solid. The calculated and measured values of ESI-TOF-MS are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

Test Example 1 In Vitro Assay

Into 3×10⁵ RD cells (human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line), the antisense oligomers shown in Table 1 or 3 were each transfected at 1, 3 or 10 μM through Nucleofector II (Lonza) using an Amaxa Cell Line Nucleofector Kit L. The program used was T-030.

After transfection, the cells were cultured for three nights at 37° C. under 5% CO₂ conditions in 2 mL of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) (SIGMA; the same applies hereinafter) containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) (Invitrogen).

After the cells were washed once with PBS (Nissui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Japan; the same applies hereinafter), 350 μL of Buffer RLT (QIAGEN) containing 1% 2-mercaptoethanol (Nacalai Tesque, Inc., Japan) was added to the cells, and the cells were lysed by being allowed to stand at room temperature for a few minutes. The cell lysate was collected into a QIAshredder homogenizer (QIAGEN) and centrifuged at 20,400×g for 2 minutes to prepare a homogenate. The total RNA was extracted in accordance with the protocol attached to an RNeasy Mini Kit (QIAGEN). The concentration of the extracted total RNA was measured with a NanoDrop ND-1000 spectrophotometer (LMS Co., Ltd., Japan).

The extracted total RNA (10 ng) was used as a template to perform One-Step RT-PCR with a QIAGEN OneStep RT-PCR Kit (QIAGEN). A reaction solution was prepared in accordance with the protocol attached to the kit. The thermal cycler used was TaKaRa PCR Thermal Cycler Dice Touch (Takara Bio Inc., Japan). The RT-PCR program used is as shown below.

50° C. for 30 minutes: reverse transcription reaction

95° C. for 15 minutes: polymerase activation, reverse transcriptase inactivation

[94° C. for 30 seconds; 61° C. for 30 seconds; 72° C. for 1 minute]×27 cycles: PCR

72° C. for 7 minutes: final elongation reaction

The nucleotide sequences of the forward and reverse primers used for RT-PCR are as shown below.

Forward primer: (SEQ ID NO: 360) 5′-TTCGTCTGGAAACAGCTCCT-3′ Reverse primer: (SEQ ID NO: 361) 5′-AGAGGGTAACGACAGCATCG-3′

The above PCR reaction product (1 μL) was analyzed using a Bioanalyzer (Agilent).

The polynucleotide level “A” in the PCR amplicon with exon 2 skipping and the polynucleotide level “B” in the wild-type PCR amplicon were measured. Based on these measured values of “A” and “B,” the skipping efficiency was determined according to the following equation.

Skipping efficiency (%)=A/(A+B)×100

Experimental Results

The results obtained are shown in FIGS. 1 to 14.

FIGS. 1 to 14 indicated that the antisense oligomer of the present invention effectively caused exon 2 skipping.

Test Example 2 In Vitro Assay

The same procedures as shown in Test Example 1 were repeated to conduct this experiment, except that 3 x 10⁵ RD cells (human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line) were transfected with the oligomer of the present invention alone (PMO No. 100 (NMS-191), PMO No. 139 (NMS-233), PMO No. 79 (NMS-169) or PMO No. 114 (NMS-206)) or with either of the two unit oligomers constituting each oligomer or with a cocktail of the two unit oligomers constituting each oligomer through Nucleofector II (Lonza) using an Amaxa Cell Line Nucleofector Kit L. The pulse program used was T-030. Combinations of the sequences transfected are as shown below.

TABLE 8 Sequence Transfection concentration 1 PMO No. 100 (NMS-191) alone 3 μm PMO No. 290 (NMS-258) alone, 3 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 100 (NMS-191) PMO No. 289 (NMS-257) alone, 3 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 100 (NMS-191) Cocktail of two unit oligomers 3 μm each constituting PMO No. 100 (NMS-191) (i.e., PMO No. 290 (NMS-258) and PMO No. 289 (NMS-257)) 2 PMO No. 139 (NMS-233) alone 1 μm PMO No. 290 (NMS-258) alone, 1 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 139 (NMS-233) PMO No. 288 (NMS-237) alone, 1 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 139 (NMS-233) Cocktail of two unit oligomers 1 μm each constituting PMO No. 139 (NMS-233) (i.e., PMO No. 290 (NMS-258) and PMO No. 288 (NMS-237)) 3 PMO No. 79 (NMS-169) alone 1 μm PMO No. 287 (NMS-236) alone, 1 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 79 (NMS-169) PMO No. 293 (NMS-265) alone, 1 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 79 (NMS-169) Cocktail of two unit oligomers 1 μm each constituting PMO No. 79 (NMS-169) (i.e., PMO No. 287 (NMS-236) and PMO No. 293 (NMS-265)) 4 PMO No. 114 (NMS-206) alone 1 μm PMO No. 287 (NMS-236) alone, 1 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 114 (NMS-206) PMO No. 288 (NMS-237) alone, 1 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 114 (NMS-206) Cocktail of two unit oligomers 1 μm each constituting PMO No. 114 (NMS-206) (i.e., PMO No. 287 (NMS-236) and PMO No. 288 (NMS-237)) 5 PMO No. 114 (NMS-206) alone 1 μm PMO No. 291 (NMS-263) alone, 1 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 114 (NMS-206) PMO No. 292 (NMS-264) alone, 1 μm which is a unit oligomer constituting PMO No. 114 (NMS-206) Cocktail of two unit oligomers 1 μm each constituting PMO No. 114 (NMS-206) (i.e., PMO No. 291 (NMS-263) and PMO No. 292 (NMS-264))

Experimental Results

The results obtained are shown in FIG. 15. This experiment indicated that when compared to a cocktail of two antisense nucleic acids targeting different sites in exon 2 (i.e., PMO No. 290 (NMS-258) and PMO No. 289 (NMS-257), PMO No. 290 (NMS-258) and PMO No. 288 (NMS-237), PMO No. 287 (NMS-236) and PMO No. 293 (NMS-265), PMO No. 287 (NMS-236) and PMO No. 288 (NMS-237), or PMO No. 291 (NMS-263) and PMO No. 292 (NMS-264)), the oligomers of the present invention, i.e., PMO No. 100 (NMS-191), PMO No. 139 (NMS-233), PMO No. 79 (NMS-169) and PMO No. 114 (NMS-206), in which the respective two antisense nucleic acids are connected together, caused exon 2 skipping with higher efficiency. 

1.-22. (canceled)
 23. Any one antisense oligomer selected from the group consisting of (A) to (H) shown below or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof: (A) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 45 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; (B) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 91 to 145 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; (C) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; (D) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; (E) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene; (F) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 162 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene; (G) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 166 to 195 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene; and (H) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the mouse myostatin gene.
 24. Any one antisense oligomer selected from the group consisting of (I) to (L) shown below or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof: (I) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions −10 to 31 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; (J) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 111 to 140 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene, wherein the 3′-terminal base of the nucleotide sequence of 14 to 30 bases in length is a base located at position 140 from the 5′-terminal end of said exon 2; (K) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 146 to 180 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene; and (L) an antisense oligomer consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of contiguous 14 to 30 bases in length selected from a nucleotide sequence located at positions 331 to 374 from the 5′-terminal end of exon 2 in the human myostatin gene.
 25. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer (A) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13 (NMS-17), SEQ ID NO: 76 (NMS-138), SEQ ID NO: 68 (NMS-120), SEQ ID NO: 75 (NMS-137), SEQ ID NO: 51 (NMS-76), SEQ ID NO: 52 (NMS-79), SEQ ID NO: 54 (NMS-81), SEQ ID NO: 55 (NMS-82), SEQ ID NO: 56 (NMS-83), SEQ ID NO: 53 (NMS-80), SEQ ID NO: 33 (NMS-49), SEQ ID NO: 63 (NMS-114), SEQ ID NO: 69 (NMS-124), SEQ ID NO: 70 (NMS-125), SEQ ID NO: 61 (NMS-110), SEQ ID NO: 31 (NMS-46), SEQ ID NO: 34 (NMS-50), SEQ ID NO: 50 (NMS-75), SEQ ID NO: 45 (NMS-67) and SEQ ID NO: 64 (NMS-115).
 26. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer (B) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 (NMS-6), SEQ ID NO: 66 (NMS-118), SEQ ID NO: 67 (NMS-119), SEQ ID NO: 28 (NMS-33), SEQ ID NO: 72 (NMS-127), SEQ ID NO: 16 (NMS-20), SEQ ID NO: 82 (NMS-187) and SEQ ID NO: 25 (NMS-30).
 27. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer (C) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 12 (NMS-16).
 28. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer (D) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 (NMS-7).
 29. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer (E) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 90 (NMS-51).
 30. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer (F) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 91 (NMS-52), SEQ ID NO: 28 (NMS-33) and SEQ ID NO: 25 (NMS-30), SEQ ID NO: 41 (NMS-61), SEQ ID NO: 24 (NMS-29), SEQ ID NO: 42 (NMS-62), SEQ ID NO: 43 (NMS-63), SEQ ID NO: 11 (NMS-15), SEQ ID NO: 67 (NMS-119), SEQ ID NO: 80 (NMS-161) and SEQ ID NO: 82 (NMS-187).
 31. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer (G) consists of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 7 (NMS-10).
 32. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer (H) consists of any one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4 (NMS-7), SEQ ID NO: 9 (NMS-12), SEQ ID NO: 10 (NMS-14) and SEQ ID NO: 14 (NMS-18).
 33. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer is an oligonucleotide.
 34. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 33, wherein at least one sugar moiety and/or at least one phosphate bond moiety in nucleotides constituting the oligonucleotide is modified.
 35. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 34, wherein the at least one sugar moiety in nucleotides constituting the oligonucleotide is a ribose in which the —OH group at the 2′-position is substituted with any group selected from the group consisting of OR, R, R′OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NR₂, N₃, CN, F, Cl, Br and I (wherein R represents alkyl or aryl, and R′ represents alkylene).
 36. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 34, wherein the at least one phosphate bond moiety in nucleotides constituting the oligonucleotide is any one selected from the group consisting of a phosphorothioate bond, a phosphorodithioate bond, an alkylphosphonate bond, a phosphoroamidate bond and a boranophosphate bond.
 37. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 23, wherein the antisense oligomer is a morpholino oligomer.
 38. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 37, wherein the morpholino oligomer is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer.
 39. The antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim 37, whose 5′-terminal end is any one of the groups represented by chemical formulae (1) to (3) shown below:


40. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim
 23. 41. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 40, which further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 42. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 40 or 41 for use in the treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease.
 43. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 42 for use in the treatment of muscular dystrophy.
 44. A method for prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease, which comprises administering a subject in need of prevention or treatment of an amyotrophic disease or a muscle wasting disease with a therapeutically effective amount of the antisense oligomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof according to claim
 23. 45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the amyotrophic disease or muscle wasting disease is muscular dystrophy.
 46. The method according to claim 44, wherein the subject is a human subject. 47-48. (canceled) 